World Footy News

Cairns in winter is a magical place. Low humidity, warm days in the mid 20’s, sunny skies and the ever so gentle scents of the tropics…rainforests, beaches, suntan lotion, sugar cane and a myriad of dining smells mingling to create a sensory delight.

What better destination could there be to host the 2013 Women’s AFL national Championships?

There is a symbiotic relationship between women’s footy and Cairns. The North Queensland city was the first non-capital city to form a women’s league, and it is now the first non-capital city to host these national championships since their inception in 1996.

This year’s event sees teams coming from Victoria, Team WA, Queensland and New South Wales in Division One. South Australia, Tasmania, ACT and Arafura make up Division Two. The new Arafura team is made of women from Papua New Guinea, North Queensland (including Cairns) and the Northern Territory and replaces the NT Thunder team for this tournament.

Also featured at this carnival will be some of the most talented women footy players in the country, including recent women’s number one draft pick from last month’s inaugural women’s draft, Daisy Pearce.

The games will be played from 18th to 22nd June at Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns city, as well as some games at nearby Fretwell Park, home of the South Cairns Cutters team, providing an opportunity for people in the growing southern corridor of Cairns to see the action.

Local Cairns women’s player, Ruby Leete (see PNG Star at the Cutting Edge of Women’s Football), has been a star of women’s footy locally but has missed this tournament through injury. Instead she will be the runner for the Arafura team during the event. Ruby believes that “I think it's something to be very proud of and my goal is to try and get more ladies involved in playing.”

Additionally, Ruby believes that this event has enormous benefits for the development of the game across Australia, but especially in Cairns and Papua New Guinea. “I think the Cairns girls are very excited at the chance to play alongside the PNG girls at such an amazing event: nationals. We Cairns girls are able to learn about how they [the bigger state teams] play and likewise for PNG girls. Many friendships have been made and we look forward to future visits from the PNG.”

We will do all possible to provide updates each day, including the Grand Finals in each division to be played on Sunday. But if you are in Cairns, drop by and enjoy the sun, the company and the footy at this special event.