TIWI TAKES OUT 2016 MT FRANKLIN CUP AS PLAYERS SELECTED FOR NT DIVERSITY TEAMS
Tiwi College has defeated Sanderson by 13 points in the Grand Final of the 2016 Mt Franklin Cup at TIO Stadium.
The dominant Tiwi side managed to remain undefeated for the duration of the Girls Under-15 Mt Franklin Cup, a two-day competition for school teams to compete against other schools and communities from across the Territory.
The team chosen to represent the Bombers is made up of members from the female leadership group at Tiwi College on Melville Island.
At the conclusion of the grand final, AFL Ambassador Aasta O’Connor presented Tiwi College with the winning trophy and announced the players selected for the respective All Nations and Kickstart teams to travel to Victoria later this year to compete in the 2016 AFL National Female Diversity Championships.
“It is great to be in Darwin and watch the next generation of football talent in the Territory,” O’Connor said.
“Tiwi College was the standout team throughout the Mt Franklin Cup, displaying a fast-paced style of football that is so unique to the Territory.
“Some of the foot skills on display were really exciting, there were quite a few shots from the boundary, I wish I could kick goals from there,” O’Connor said.
The Western Bulldogs player said the purpose of the Mt Franklin Cup was to develop young women on and off the field.
“The aim of the Mt Franklin Cup is to ensure this is a safe-place for all the girls competing and to provide an inclusive environment for everyone involved,” O’Connor said.
“These girls are exemplary young women from all over the Territory who have a bright future in football in they choose.”
A number of girls have been selected to try out for the All Nations side while 20 players were named to represent the Kickstart team.
“As part of the Mt Franklin Cup, I joined forces with Wally Gallio to identify new talent for the Northern Territory All Nations and Kickstart squads to compete at the AFL National Female Diversity Championships in Shepparton later this year,” O’Connor said.
“Being selected in the All Nations and Kickstart side initial steps to start along the national women’s league pathway including national championships held at Youth Girls level.
Seven teams competed in this year’s Mt Franklin Cup including Dripstone, East Arnhem, Sanderson, St Johns, Tiwi College, Woolaning, and Wadeye.
The respective Northern Territory All Nations and Kickstart teams selected to compete in the 2016 AFL National Female Diversity Championships in Melbourne and Shepparton will be announced in the next month.