TWO aspiring women's sports stars have been making their mark on the Aussie Rules field.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Leeton's Paris Crelley and St Francis College student Abby Favell were both selected in the AFL NSW/ACT under 18s Rams youth girls side recently.
The pair traveled to Coffs Harbour on the weekend for the Northern Academy Series and training camp ahead of the upcoming 2019 NAB AFL Women's under 18s championships.
Selected after showing promise with their respective sides - Paris plays for Lavington and Abby the Murray Bushrangers, the pair continued to show off their potential on the weekend.
Paris is a year 12 student at Leeton High School and hopes to play the sport professionally either in the VFLW or AFLW.
She said the weekend provided her with plenty more learning opportunities.
"It was a really good weekend ... I learned a lot," Paris said.
"I've been enjoying playing with Lavington, it's a really strong league.
"Aussie Rules is such a different sport to anything else that is available (for young women). That's why I really like it."
The team arrived in Coffs Harbour last Thursday and had a busy weekend of training, education sessions, workshops and three matches at Coffs Harbour's C.EX International Stadium.
MORE SPORT
The Rams put in strong performances across the weekend, winning all three matches against their northerly neighbours.
Abby also found the weekend to be beneficial.
"(It) was long and hard work, but by the end of it I didn't want to leave because of the good relationships I have built," she said.
"I loved getting to know the group of girls and seeing the ways that people play.
"The different game style and professionalism was beneficial to me.
"I'm excited to play again and to see the girls, but am very nervous (ahead of the June competition)."
Both Paris and Abby said they would be taking back their new-found skills to their clubs and implementing the new techniques and skills learned in Coffs Harbour.
The side will next come together from June 1 to 3 when they take on Tasmania at Blacktown International Sportspark for the first two rounds of the 2019 NAB AFL Women's under 18 championships.
****
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox every Friday at 6am from The Irrigator. To make sure you're up to date with all news in Leeton sign up here.