By: Joseph Arthur
THE AFL Victoria Metro Junior Development Series is all set for the first bounce this evening, with the EFL and Eastern Region Girls providing six teams ready to compete.
Under 15-1 boys coach and Junior Development Series Director, Wayne Judge, said that interleague competition is critical to a young footballer’s development.
“It provides an opportunity for talented players to have that first chance to be part of the AFL’s talented player pathway,” Judge said.
“This is the entry point for players so it’s an important first step in talent identification.
“It gives an opportunity for the best players in the competition to come together and play against other talented players from other competitions.”
While the series involves competitive games, Judge said that the point of interleague is to act as an introductory development program more-so than anything else.
“It’s very much a development program,” Judge said.
“Having those kids come in and be introduced to a program allows some to continue along that pathway towards that ultimate goal of one day playing AFL footy.
Despite the focus on development, there is nothing held back by the players, who very much look forward to representing their respective competitions and relish the chance to compete against other top prospects.
“There is no doubt the program is really important to them,” Judge said.
“They really enjoy the opportunity to test themselves against the other best players going around.
“It’s also fantastic in building camaraderie among players who on the weekend are often playing against one another.
“They’re very keen and enthusiastic to be part of the program.”
Meredith Denvir, the coach of the Eastern Region Girls’ under 15-1 side, spoke to EFL Media about the significance of interleague footy as a chance for the girls to showcase their skills.
“It’s a good chance for people to see the most talented and enthusiastic girls, from all across one competition, show off their skills and their love of the game against other equivalent competitions,” Denvir said.
“The quality of players that we’ve had to choose from has been second to none.
“At such a young age now there are all these pathways for the girls to lead into, the EFL have been such a strong supporter of us (female footy) and we’ve got a huge amount of teams in the league.
“When I started playing 15 or so years ago there was one competition, the exponential growth has been ridiculous.
“Now for the girls to have the same opportunity as the boys is fantastic.”
With support from the league and so many clubs having girls representing them at interleague, it’s no wonder why female footy continues to take off.
“With players from such a variety of clubs, the effort that they’re putting in to their junior girls programs is definitely showing,” Denvir said.
The Eastern Region Girls’ under 15-1 side will get underway at 6:15pm against Northern FNL at Belgrave South Rec. Reserve, followed by the under-15-2 side taking on the Yarra FNL at 8.15pm.
The under 15-1 boys team gets underway at 8:15pm at AK Lines Reserve in Watsonia against Northern FNL, following the under-15-2 side at 6.15pm.
Meanwhile, at HE Parker Reserve in Heathmont, the under 14-1 boys team begins at 8:15pm against Northern FNL as well, shortly after the under-14-2 team at 6.15pm.