Earlier this month, Hawthorn held its first ever all female NGA skills day in the club’s academy region of Gippsland.

The participants were split into age groups during the April 13^th event, with 21 aspiring footballers attending the U13 session in the morning, and 26 participating in the U15 session later that day.

VFLW player Sarah Perkins, who is currently working with Hawthorn’s Next Generation Academy, says she was blown away by the sheer number of young girls wanting to learn more about AFL.

“To have nearly 50 girls attend this year shows the growth of women’s football, and shows that there is a lot more untapped talent out there in the Gippsland region,” Perkins said. 

While many of the attendees would look up to the 24-year-old, having watched her earn an All Australian selection and win a premiership with the Adelaide Crows in her first AFLW season, Perkins says she is just as inspired by the young girls trying their hand at a new sport. 

“It’s more inspiring for me [watching them] than it is for them to see me at a clinic.

“I said to the girls, I’m just a stepping stone and they’re all the pebbles who will hopefully get all the reward 10-15 years down the track, and I’ll be able to sit back and watch them play AFL. 

“Our goal is to get out to as many girls as we can and to share our love for the game, and hopefully it inspires them to keep going and keep pursuing their dream.”

The skills day consisted of education sessions focusing on fitness and technique, before Perkins, alongside Gippsland Power Female Talent Coordinator Chelsea Caple and Talent Manager Peter Francis, put them through their paces with a number of training drills to test their abilities. 

After the event, the attendees were brought together for an important chat about the talent pathways that are now available for them.

A handful of players from the skills day will be invited to try out for Gippsland Power’s V-Line squad, based on skill level and performances in their local teams. 

Hawthorn’s Next Generation Academy will also kick off its very first all-female program in both the Gippsland and Eastern regions for U13s in August this year. Participation will be via invitation, and again selected based on the level of skill displayed throughout the NGA skills day and local games.

The academy will run for six weeks, with a focus on developing fundamental skills and game sense.

Help us ensure our team has every opportunity to inspire and engage young girls to play football.
Make a donation to the Hawthorn Football Club Foundation now.