Peel Thunderbirds young stars Kate Bartlett, Courtney Hodder and Sabreena Duffy are paving their way to a future in the AFL Women’s league.
The trio recently returned from the inaugural NAB AFL Women’s National Academy camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra last week, where they tested their skills with some of nation’s best future female talent.
The seven-day camp included combine testing, skill sessions, mentoring, a tour of the Australian Defence Force facilities and game-play.
As a result, the trio were part of 33 players who received a NAB AFL Women’s Academy scholarship and will take part in personal development camps over the next 12 months.
All three have shone for the triple-premiership Peel youth girls side in recent seasons, and have their eyes fixed on getting drafted to an AFL Women’s side in the coming years.
Bartlett, 17, will be available to clubs in the next draft, while Duffy and Hodder, both 16, will play in the WA Women’s Football League for at least one more season.
Peel youth girls coach Steve Markim said the club placed an emphasis on developing young talent for the AFL Women’s.
“We would rather see our club develop young AFL talent than collect premierships so to know we have good players coming through that can feed the top level is pleasing,” he said.
Markham expects each of the trio to see plenty of game time for the club’s league side this season.
“Kate played four league games last season and held her own, so we expect her to be a strong part of the side in 2017,” he said.
“Playing at higher levels of football will allow these girls and many other young Peel players to get exposure to senior footy they will need if they are to take their careers further.”
Bartlett, Hodder and Duffy have all represented WA in national competitions and each has already notched a string of individual achievements.
Thunderbirds league coach Mark Fenton said the youngsters had the ability to seamlessly step up to senior level football.
“Each of them has a lot of natural talent, so their next step is to learn more about the game and how they can use that talent,” he said.
“We’re fortunate as a club to have a whole side of youth girls coming through that can be pivotal players for us in the future.”
The Thunderbirds are currently training their pre-season regime.
To learn more about the sessions or to join the youth girls, call Steve Markham on 0417 947 730.
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
