First girls carnival boasts untapped talent
Football entered a new era in the Upper Great Southern last Friday, as the Stephen Michael Foundation hosted more than 100 girls in region’s first youth girls carnival.
Girls in Years 7 to 12 from high schools across the Upper Great Southern, including Katanning Senior High School, Boddington District High School and Narrogin Senior High School, descended on Clayton Road Oval for the cornerstone event of female football in the region.
Players formed teams with counterparts from rival schools to compete in unscored matches throughout the day.
Fremantle Dockers star Gemma Houghton, who regularly travels to Narrogin with the Stephen Michael Foundation, said the region was home to undiscovered talent.
“Coming down here in the lead-up to the carnival just seeing some girls who had never played footy before pick it up and naturally adapt to the game so quickly was really exciting,” she said. “There’s some girls who don’t even realise the potential they have.”
The foundation’s namesake and WA football legend Stephen Michael watched on intently from the sidelines.
“It is a very significant day, getting 150 girls here is unbelievable,” Michael said.
“There’s a big long-term future with the AFLW at the moment.
“Some of these ladies have a chance to go further ahead.”
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