7-a-side debuts in Sydney women's league

There are versions of the game played pre-season in Sydney for 6-a-side and 13-a-side, and this year the Sydney Women’s AFL are kicking off their season with a festival of fun, events and a 7-a-side tournament.

From the creative minds of two former NSW state Reps, Lisa Roper and Kerry Taylor, these girls have created a day long event with some modified rules to encourage a free-running style of play. “As we have found at National level, the top states play a very hand-ball/running style of football which we are trying to develop more and more in Sydney” says Roper who is also one of the new Development Managers for Sydney Women’s AFL.

Last year we entered Bondi Shamrocks, a team predominantly filled with Irish Gaelic footballers, and despite their lack of knowledge of AFL, were well able to keep up with the top teams, finishing in the top four after knocking out two time premiers Sydney Uni. The running style rubbed off on the other top sides, and as this season develops we should see more and more of the game evolving in Sydney.

The 7’s tournament is not as common as the 9-a-side or 13-a-side versions, and we are confident the players will have just as much fun playing it, as the spectators will have watching.

Sydney Women’s AFL is still rather youthful, last year celebrating its tenth anniversary. Every year we are developing and evolving, and this year will be no exception. Last year two new teams joined the league, this year we have a new team joining the league and another who are entering into the 7’s tournament and hope enter as a full side next year. Last year also saw the launch of the Illawarra Youth league, and the NSW U18 and U16 girls teams. It is hoped these teams will send a team to the 7’s tournament as we build the bridge between the women and youth leagues.

The 7’s tournament will be the season launch for 2010, which has traditionally been the Charity shield over the last few years. 7 years ago we raised funds for a player who was hurt in a match between the two foundation teams, and the Michelle Daley Charity Shield named after her, had continued to be played between them, and grew to incorporate more teams as a pre-season friendly. The league still has plans to contribute to the charity later in the season, as one club has preferred to no longer pay it as the pre-season tradition it had been.

This tournament will have a more festival atmosphere and a few other events throughout, such as a sprint between the fastest from each team, a push up competition, an egg and spoon race, and a hula hoop competition to add to the fun. There may be a bit of dress-up, a bit of football, but mostly it’s about a gathering of all the clubs socially and around a football field. That alone does not happen too often anywhere. There will be music, and guest mc’s throughout the day all to add to the atmosphere.

If you are anywhere near HJ Mahoney Memorial Field, Marrickville, on Saturday 27th March, pop by and see what all the noise is about, and take in this newer version of the game.