World Footy News

The Australian Inaugural AFL Indigenous Woomeras Tour to New Zealand will depart from Melbourne for Auckland on Saturday, December 6.

Launched earlier this year at the National Youth Girls Championships in May, the Woomeras is a national Under-18 female Indigenous development program which immerses participants in an elite training environment with the aim of increasing football skills, personal development and leadership skills.

The squad of 21 will meet in Melbourne today for a two day training camp where they will be mentored by Hawthorn three-time Premiership star Shaun Burgoyne, before they depart internationally for the first time on a 10-day tour of New Zealand.
Highlights of the tour include a cultural exchange and rafting in Rotorua, the Tongiraro Crossing, kayaking in Taupo and playing two matches against the New Zealand Kahu, a team made up of the best female players from New Zealand.

AFL Head of Diversity Jason Mifsud said the inaugural (Australian) AFL Indigenous Woomeras Tour to New Zealand represents a fantastic opportunity to both learn from and give back to community.

“This is the first time the Woomeras side will assemble to take part in an international tour. The cultural and social benefits of travelling to another country are widespread.

“We look forward to being immersed in the New Zealand Indigenous culture, and developing our young indigenous female athletes to go on to become leaders in their community.

“The word Woomeras symbolises strength and power which is what the program is about – launching Indigenous females into their futures using football to engage and empower,” said Mr Mifsud.

2014 Woomeras Squad:

Kiarnie Jennings (Macarthur, NSW), Vera Duncan (Rockhampton, QLD), Courtney Hodder (South Lake, WA), Winona Greenhalgh (Ballarat, VIC), Shaleise Fisher (Wondai, QLD), Renee Guligo (Horn Island, QLD), Nayiyana Briggs (Charleville, QLD), Maddison Radford (Windsor Gardens, SA), Paige Baksh (Shepparton, VIC), Leashay Warburton (Alice Springs, NT), Kiara Cooper (Echuca, VIC), Ella Wonaeamirri (Tiwi Islands, NT), Angela Giles (Blair Athol, SA), Imahra Cameron (Kelmscott, WA), Tashina Ketchup (Rockhampton, QLD), Mikayla Saunders (Ceduna, SA), Desiree Atkinson (Echuca, VIC), Klarindah Hudson (Brisbane, QLD), Jordan Mifsud (Cheltenham. VIC), Demi Doomadgee (Deniliquin, NSW), Kaitlyn Wonaeamirri (Tiwi Islands, NT)

Woomeras Tour Schedule:

Friday December 5: Training at Queens College, Melbourne
Saturday December 6: Squad departs for Auckland
Sunday December 7: Te Puia Guided tour and Mitai Maori Village visit in Rotorua
Monday December 8: Rafting in Rotura
Tuesday December 9: Tongiraro Crossing
Wednesday December 10: Kayaking in Taupo
Thursday December 11: Joint training session with Female New Zealand Kahu in Auckland
Friday December 12: Woomeras v News Zealand Kahu Match One in Auckland
Saturday December 13: Football clinic in Auckland
Sunday December 14: Woomeras v News Zealand Kahu Match Two in Auckland
Monday December 15: Return to Melbourne