WA players to showcase skills on the national stageWednesday, June 5, 2024 - 10:46 AM

Top AFLW draft prospect Zipporah Fish joins Molly O’Hehir and Claudia Wright in representing the AFL National Academy Girls squad for the second time this year when they take on a national All-Stars side in Melbourne this weekend.

WA Football Commission Manager Female Talent Programs and Coaching Specialist, Trent Cooper said the game provides another opportunity to showcase their skills on the national stage in front of recruiters.

“The weekend offers a great chance for our National Academy athletes (Molly, Zippy and Claudia) to reconnect with the interstate players in that program,” Cooper said.

The AFL National Academy is an accelerated football and personal development program that provides the next generation of stars with experiences, learnings and further opportunities to best prepare them for the next steps in their football journey.

AFL National Academy Girls squad will train at The Hangar, home of Essendon Football Club, on Friday morning and take part in a captain’s run at Port Melbourne’s ETU Stadium on Saturday.

The clash between the AFL National Academy Girls and All-Stars will be played at RSEA Park (Victoria) on Sunday, June 9 from 9:00am AWST.

The All-Stars team will comprise players aged 21 and under from across the country and will include WA players Natasha Entwistle and Taya Chambers.

Cooper said it’s a great opportunity for Entwistle and Chambers to showcase their talents against those who have been identified as the best players in the country.

“Both are very good in the air and can intercept a mark or spoil where necessary,” Cooper said. 

“Tash is known for her fierce pressure and tackling, and Taya provides plenty of run- and-carry off half-back.”

Cooper believes the new pre-season program has benefited the players.

“We feel running a full pre-season for the first time prepared the girls really well and have been really impressed with what the players have produced in the WAFLW so far,” Cooper said.

Marsh AFL National Academy Manager, Tarkyn Lockyer, said: “It’s great to have the Marsh AFL National Academy Girls squad back together this weekend for their final camp of the 2024 program.

“Sunday’s game provides a platform for players to continue to showcase their learnings from the Academy program and to have the opportunity to play alongside some of their most talented peers from across the country.

“We are excited to also offer the opportunity to players from across the country to represent the national All-Stars for the first time. Sunday’s match also provides these players the chance to showcase their skills in front of AFLW recruiters.”

AUSTRALIA U18 vs ALL-STARS
Sunday, June 9, 2024
9:00am AWST
RSEA Park
Free entry

Live streamed on afl.com.au