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AFL kicks off at Stuartholme
After the successful introduction of Rugby 7s in 2020, Stuartholme has expanded the sporting program with the introduction of Australian Rules Football (AFL) this year. Director of Co-Curricular Sport, Charmaine Ferguson said the girls were keen for contact sport opportunities which was evident in the high number of girls signing up for both sports.
...for our students who want to pursue AFL further, this pathway can provide them with opportunities to play at a rep level. “The goal of the Co-Curricular Sports Department is to ensure we are providing sport and opportunities that fit with what our students want to play,” Charmaine explained. “AFLW has seen a huge spike in participation over recent years and the success of the AFLW Lions team has certainly inspired many girls to take up the sport.” Stuartholme has appointed Dion King as Head Coach of the AFL
program. In addition to his teaching and coaching role at Stuartholme, Dion works in the Brisbane Lions Academy working with players in the elite pathway. “Stuartholme plays in the CaSSSA competition and we were thrilled to field two senior teams during the season which ran over Term 1,” Dion said. “The teams performed very well for their first hit out, finishing 4th on the ladder.” In addition to providing students with the opportunity to play AFL, Stuartholme has created a partnership with Wests Juniors Australian Football Club to give players an additional pathway. “We are very excited to partner with Wests, for our students who want to pursue AFL further, this pathway can provide them with opportunities to play at a rep level,” Dion said. Although the senior competition has finished, the junior competition will start in Term 4. Trials for the CaSSSA competition will be held in Term 3. Details on how to sign on and key dates are available via MyStuartholme.
