Talented Murray Felines footballers Emily Nicholson and Zali Spencer have both been selected in the final Murray Bushrangers 2019 female Under 18s team.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Emily was the co-captain of the Felines’ Under 16 team in 2018 and was named best on ground in the 14-point grand final win against the Lavington Panthers.
Zali debuted for the Felines in 2018 and her strong play around the contest was a feature of her game that now sees here selected in the Bushrangers squad. She also played representative netball and her skills and determination will be sought after by both codes.
The two girls selected, both 16, and four other members of the Felines were selected in the initial Murray Bushrangers squad in September.
They have been training consistently since October.
“Training has focused upon skill improvement and fitness since the squad started in October,” Emily said.
“The training has been tough at times and there has been a considerable emphasis on testing and improvement.
“It is great that both Zali and myself have been fortunate to make the final squad. We still have a few more months of training before the first TAC matches commence.
“We are looking forward to the season and seeing how far we can go as a team.”
Both Emily and Zali are highly encouraging of any female who wishes to play football to make contact with the Felines and introduce themselves at training.
The Under 18 Girls Murray Bushrangers kick off their season against the Northern Knights at RAMS Arena, Craigeburn on March 3.
“More than 80 young females from across the region have participated in the elite level football training program over the past three months. This has included AFLW testing components and intra club games throughout the pre-season program to ensure players have both the football and athletic attributes to perform in the elite Under 18 competition,” Female Talent Coordinator Briana Cossar explained.
“A special thank you to all the girls for their dedication, commitment and sacrifices n getting the girls to training each week.”
A total of 52 players are selected in this year’s squad, which include 23 ‘futures’ players (Under 16), represented by 18 different clubs across the north-east border, Goulburn Murray and Southern NSW regions.
“This highlights the strong growth in community football programs and dedicated coaches and volunteers who all help provide a terrific platform, developing the girls into fotbal players and preparing them for the elite football program we provide,” Cossar said.
Bushrangers coach Tim Madden highlighted the difficult selection process.
“It was a very difficult selection process with the high standard of players and credit to all the girls’ junior football clubs for developing the girls’ football skills,” he said.
12°C