AFL North Coast will introduce a youth girls' under-14 age group for the 2022 season to strengthen the pathway from Auskick through to youth girls under-17 and into the women's competition.
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Northern NSW development lead Matt Crawley said the response to female footy in the region has been overwhelming.
He said exciting times are ahead.
"Girls are flocking to footy across the region," he said.
"Many want to play in girls-only competitions, which is completely understandable so we know that starting this under-14 age group will see the next wave of new participants into the sport.
"At the elite level, the AFLW competition will get underway in January and with a significant proportion of matches being broadcast on free to air TV, we know that this will help generate more interest.
"Local girls will see the athleticism of the elite players and will realise that their existing skill set from other sports will be readily transferable to footy.
"Add to that the chance to be involved in a sport that requires more physical contact and the girls will be hooked."
Demand is already very high at most junior clubs for this second age group.
To help clubs recruit additional players, the AFL game development team will run a series of female-only Come and Try sessions in conjunction with the clubs.
The sessions are open to all girls aged 16 and under with those who fall outside the ages of the youth girls under-14 competition to be directed to alternatives.
Sessions will be held at Richardson Park, Sawtell on December 7 from 4.45pm and Wayne Richards Park in Port Macquarie on December 8 at 4.30pm.
Further sessions will be organised in the new year as part of the lead-in to the season.
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