THE North Coast’s best junior Aussie Rules talent are preparing for another season of representative footy.

Excitement is at fever pitch as representative AFL returns to the region with the announcement of the North Coast Force youth teams for 2021.

98 players from Lismore in the North to Taree in the South have been selected across the four age group teams and will take part in an expanded program that will include carnivals in both the Hunter in June and Coffs Harbour in July.

AFL North Coast’s Community Football Manager, Paul Taylor, said that the return of representative footy has generated plenty of excitement.

“Players are always passionate about putting on the North Coast Force rep jumper and testing themselves against the best players from other regions,” he said.

“Unfortunately, this couldn’t happen last year due to the COVID restrictions on travel, so we’re really excited to have rep footy back in 2021.

“Not only is the Force back, we’ve got a second carnival to compete in which means that we’ll be able to take away learnings from playing in the Hunter and use these to perform even better at the carnival in Coffs Harbour,

“Our focus is very much on helping the players develop to be the best footballer they can be, so the chance to test ourselves, apply learnings, and compete again is invaluable.”

The North Coast Force program is being delivered in partnership with the local Sydney Swans Academy, which may lead to more players being offered the chance to join the Academy program.

Following the Force program further opportunities will be available to girls via the North Coast Academy of Sport AFLW program, whilst boys will be considered for the Northern Heat program.

Taylor said the Force program offered young players a pathway to progress to elite level football.

“Our representative program has come ahead in leaps and bounds in recent years, as has the standard of play in our local competitions, so it’s great that the Force program can offer players the chance to not just further develop their skills and game sense, but also to continue to progress through the pathway,

“We’ve had local male and female players make their way onto the lists of AFL and AFLW teams and we’re looking to help the next generation continue towards that goal.”

AFL North Coast runs the representative program for both male and female athletes, offering North Coast Force teams at Under 13, Under 15, Under 17, and Youth Girls levels.

The North Coast Force teams have previously played against AFL North West in Tamworth on the June long weekend and in the Northern NSW Challenge in the July school holidays each year.

At this carnival the North Coast Force teams come up against players and teams from the Central Coast, Hunter Coast, North West, and South Coast.

The Force’s first training session was held on Wednesday,12 May at Fitzroy Oval.

The Hunter Carnival will be held on Saturday, 12 June and Sunday, June 13 at Teralba and Warners Bay.

The Coffs Harbour Carnival will be held on Tuesday, 6 July and Wednesday, 7 July at the Coffs Coast Sport and Leisure Park.

 

By Aiden BURGESS