The AFL Cape York Primary Girls team took the south by storm. Photos: Supplied.
A talented all-girls football team from Torres Strait region took on Queensland’s best earlier this month and quickly won them over with their dashing approach to the game.
The most northern and remote team in the competition took multiple flights, ferry and bus – covering about 2500 kilometres to reach the oval in Maroochydore – to tackle the two-day StreetSmarts AFLQ Schools Cup – Hall of Fame Primary Division.
AFL Cape York region coordinator Kieran Sciberras said the team’s journey to the Sunshine Coast tournament on 17-18 October showed the players’ commitment and enthusiasm.
“Our players are picked firstly on school attendance and positive behaviour, followed by sporting ability,” Mr Sciberras said.
“School children in the region do not have the same access as down south to sporting facilities and AFL ovals, regular training or club football.
“Yet with their grit, determination and natural ability they are always right up there with the best teams.”
It also left the southerners wanting more as the Torres Strait side – students in grades 5 and 6 – quickly became fan favourites with their speed and style.
Even though the team needed to provide some of their competitors with a geography lesson!
“Our players proudly represented the region, including explaining where the Torres Strait is and how far they travelled to play football,” Mr Sciberras said.
“Despite the distance, the team was highly competitive and undefeated on the second day of competition.”
AFL Cape York region coordinator Kieran Sciberras gives Frances Mosby the thumbs up after the Tagai State College pupil won the team’s leadership award.
Frances Mosby from Tagai State College was awarded the team’s leadership award for her inspiring performance and team encouragement across both days.
“I love showing my skills, playing with my friends and enjoying it,” Frances said.
The trip included a visit to the Beenleigh Buffaloes home ground hosted by juniors president Zane Jackson.
Players participated in a skills and drills clinic with AFL Queensland, further enhancing their development and connection to the sport.
Despite Torres Strait not being home to one AFL club or hosting regular games – Badu is the only island with an AFL oval – AFL Cape York runs in-school football clinics, gala days and inter-school carnivals across the region. They inform student selection into representative sides to play in competitions down south.
AFL Cape York programs provide the only opportunities for students from the region to play and experience competition-level AFL on ovals against the best sides in Queensland, including through the AFLQ Schools Cup.
This year alone, AFL Cape York has supported more than 100 First Nations players from remote communities to play in the AFLQ Schools Cup, providing exposure to competition-level football and positive on- and off-field encounters.
It marks a new record for AFL Cape York, which each year visits more than 40 schools from Laura to Saibai Island bordering Papua New Guinea to Doomadgee near the Northern Territory border.
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AFL Cape York Primary Girls team:
Gia Aragu
Gracie Cook
Leandra Elu
Tevern’ya Ketchell
May-Esther Nona
Jaylyn Nona
Tei’ya Lee Mosby-Loban
Ella-Rose Mooka
Alenka Morseu
Rannetha Mosby
Frances Mosby
Selina Newman
Sasha Pearson-Garnier
Zayda Pearson-Garnier
Taye Sagigi
Laila Volavola
