Whittlesea’s Kiah McKinnon-Rowe, Melton South’s Tahlia Hodges and Yarrambat’s Deena Gerges are among those selected in the 2024 Woomeras and Medleys squads,
The country’s most promising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural girls Australian rules footballers aged 15-and-under have been selected in the 2024 Woomeras and Medleys squads.
The Woomeras squad is made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, while the Medleys squad comprises players with a parent born outside of Australia.
McKinnon-Rowe and Hodges have been named in the Woomeras squad, while Gerges has been named in the Medleys squad.
Both squads feature players from across Australia, who will come together in Brisbane this week to take part in a football and leadership camp.
Players will arrive in Brisbane on Thursday, July 11 and engage in a range of football and athletic training sessions, along with cultural and leadership-building activities across the three-day camp.
The highlight of the program will be two talent showcase matches which will be played at Brighton Homes Arena on Saturday, July 13.
The Woomeras vs Medleys games will be played following the under-18 girls national championships match between Queensland and the Allies.
The Woomeras coaching panel includes GWS Giants forward Aliesha Newman, Krstel Petrevski, Janet Baird, Imahra Cameron, Cassie Davidson and Jordy Mifsud, who last year tied for the VFLW best and fairest award, the Lambert-Pearce Medal.
Former Medleys player and Western Bulldogs No. 6 draft pick Elaine Grigg features on the Medleys coaching staff alongside Akec Makur Chuot, Nyakoat Dojiok, Hanna Fosbrooke, Bianka Tsan and Mary Daw.
Daw plays for the Suns in the Western Football League.
AFL diversity talent programs manager Narelle Long said they were thrilled to have the Woomeras and Medleys squads coming together in Brisbane this week.
“The players in the Woomeras and Medleys squads have showcased great football potential and a determination to develop themselves as athletes and people.
“This week’s camp will provide an environment for the players to engage in activities that will further enhance their football development and develop their leadership skills.
“Saturday’s matches at Brighton Homes Arena provide a fantastic opportunity for players to showcase their talent with a view to then being selected in the Indigenous and Multicultural Academies and other talent pathways programs in the future.”
