PORT ADELAIDE’s under 15 Female Talent Next Generation Academy wrapped up its eight-week program with a match against the Adelaide Crows Female Academy on Wednesday.
In a competitive hit-out at Alberton Oval, Port Adelaide went down to the Crows by 16 points.
Despite the result, Next Generation Academy (NGA) Coach Naomi Maidment found plenty of positives out of the day.
“It was a really good standard across the day,” Maidment said.
“Our first quarter was a little bit slow which ultimately probably cost us the game, but our last half of the match in particular we ran it out really well.
“There were some really great skills on display and some really talented young females running around.
“The skill level for this age group was really pleasing, the kicking was excellent, the marking and the overall understanding of the game is improving.
“For such young females to come out and put on a good game like that was really good to watch.”
This was the first year the program was run at the under 15 age group, which Maidment said sets up a great pathway for the young talent involved.
“It is really exciting we have this talent program which can now filter all the way through to Port Adelaide’s AFLW team – I guess that’s the best thing about being granted a licence and being in this competition, now all our hard work in developing of these players, there is now a real, genuine pathway for them to go,” Maidment said.
“It would be great for a number of these NGA players to make it in the AFLW system and ultimately play for us in years to come.”
Maidment also enjoyed having Port Adelaide Academy graduates and current U18 state program participants, Lauren Young and Lucy Boyd return to the club to be involved.
“We provided (Lauren and Lucy) the experience to become line coaches for the day,” Maidment explained.
“Lauren took the defenders and Lucy had the forwards.
“It was great to show them what it’s like on the other side of the game and really start to develop their experience across football in all areas.”
Port Adelaide’s Female Talent NGA is planned to start up again at the end of the year, welcoming the next group of local talent.
Female NGA - Port Adelaide vs Adelaide
Final score:
Port Adelaide: 5.6.36
Adelaide: 8.4.52
PAFC Best – Layla Vizgaudis (South Adelaide), Stephanie Tredwell (West Adelaide), Kyah Jaffer (Norwood), Lily Baxter (South Adelaide), and Chloe Tonkin (West Adelaide).
