Round 9 of the TIO NTFL Under 15 Girls competition will take on a different format, with the teams to play in a round-robin carnival this Friday and Saturday as part of the PUMP Under 15 (U15) Girls Michael Long Cup.
The aim of the PUMP U15 Girls Michael Long Cup is to assist AFL Northern Territory (AFLNT) Academy coaches with talent identification for the newly established NT Thunder Academy program, as well as NT schoolgirls squads, Indigenous Kickstart programs and multicultural programs.
At the conclusion of the games, players identified by the scouts will be presented with an invitation to join the NT Thunder U16 Girls Academy.
The nine NTFL teams; Darwin Buffaloes, Nightcliff, Palmerston, St Mary’s, Southern Districts, Tiwi Bombers, Tracy Village, Wanderers and Waratah will be joined by a Remote All-Stars team, made up of players from Alice Springs, Barunga, Galiwinku, Gove and Wadeye.
The All-Stars team will be in a yellow guernsey with a black sash, while the NTFL sides will wear their usual team colours.
Each team will play three games of 12-minute halves across Friday evening and Saturday morning at Asbuild Oval, in Palmerston.
AFLNT High Performance Manager Wally Gallio said he was pleased to have Coca-Cola Amatil on board and their support of the PUMP U15 Girls Michael Long Cup was invaluable.
“We have seen great movement in the female footy space of late and to have such an iconic company and brand associated with our carnival speaks wonders to the young women right across the Northern Territory who are pushing the boundaries to become the best footballers they can be.
“This weekend is the first step in getting alignment in both the men’s and women’s Australian Football pathways here in the Territory, and I am sure the talent this weekend will reaffirm that,” he said.
PUMP sponsoring the Michael Long Cup was a natural fit, as the official water for the AFL and the number one water brand for sports and exercise.
The first games in PUMP U15 Girls Michael Long Cup commence from 5pm on Friday. Download the full fixture.
