Bathurst Bushrangers Youth Girls go undefeated in 2021

The Bathurst Bushrangers were unbeaten throughout 2021 on their way to a first Youth Girls Minor Premiership

 

It’s been a great year for the Bathurst Bushrangers Youth Girls, with the team going undefeated throughout the regular season.

The side won eight out of eight matches played, and finished first on the Youth Girls competition ladder.

Whilst the end to the season wasn’t what the girls would have hoped for, with covid-19 challenges seeing the cancellation of the season, it is still a year to celebrate.

It’s a drastic change from 12 months ago, when the team didn’t’ win a game.

Youth Girls coach Ciara Kearns attributes some of that success to the improvement in playing numbers for the team.

“The first game I think we had 14 girls registered. By the second game we had 17 or 18 and it kept growing each week,” she said.

“Wins can help get players. Over the last few years, we struggled with getting wins because we didn’t have the numbers so once there was a win, a couple more people wanted to come play and it just kept happening. Wins bring players and players bring wins, so it’s exciting for the girls.”

It hasn’t just been the improvement in participation numbers though. You also need a team committed to getting better each week and according to Kearns that’s exactly what happened.

READ: Orange Tigers go from strength to strength as all Junior sides make finals

“They have all been committed, we would have 15-20 people at training each week so that’s been pretty cool. Once you have numbers at training, you can do drills and carry those drills across to the game so it all blends together,” she said.

“I think all the girls that have been playing the last couple of years have stepped up. It helped having Dakota/Taylor Nugent who has had a bit of experience with representative footy. There has also been a couple of girls who have stepped up. Phoebe Wilson has been great role model for the team this year, but honestly all the girls who have been playing in the last few years have stepped up and helped the younger ones.”

There has been a big focus on improving female participation in the league, and Bushrangers’ President Alex Sparks believes the best strategy for the club to improve numbers is a friendly environment and a focus on playing alongside their friends.

“The strategy is always to just bring a friend. Sport is more enjoyable when you play with your friends. A few of the girls have brought their friends this year and that’s helped our numbers and the culture of the team,” he said.

“We want to provide a good environment for the girls, with good quality coaches and training. That will bring more people to the game and our club.”

With the Bushrangers success, and the introduction of Dubbo Junior AFL’s team, this season’s Youth Girls competition has been one of the best. Previous seasons saw Orange Tigers and Bathurst Giants competitive with each other. Now with a third strong team, and a Dubbo outfit building the future looks bright for the division. Competition & Development Coordinator Casey White was full of praise for the Bushrangers and the quality of football in the competition.

READ: Covid-19 Update – Friday August 27

“Whilst the talk this year is all about the Bushrangers, and rightfully so, returning to a four-team competition this season was a huge step forward. The Bushrangers had such a strong Women’s team, and this hadn’t necessarily translated to success in the Youth Girls,” he said.

“They’ve now developed a fantastic group of players led by the likes of Dakota (Nugent) and Jade (Leven), and to finish the season unbeaten is incredibly exciting for them.”

“Ciara and James (Leven) have done an amazing job with this team. You can tell the girls respect both coaches and are enthusiastic about playing and learning, which is so important for player retention.”

The Youth Girls expansion to four teams, has no doubt impacted positively on assisting greater recruitment. Additionally, White was encouraged by what he saw this season from the first-year Dubbo side.

“The players have stuck by the sport whilst it developed, and now they reap the rewards. Dubbo are in a similar position to where the others were 3 seasons ago, and for them to finish the season with some wins is a credit to their development,” he said.

“The competition needed four teams to ensure some variety in opponent, but also to create continuity. The girls are now guaranteed a game each week, which helps maintain interest, and continues to boost player development.”

Excitingly, for Dubbo, having no top-age players in 2021 means they will be even more competitive in the future. For now though, it’s an opportunity to celebrate the Bushrangers. Congratulations on a first Minor Premiership. With such an emphasis on team culture, we are sure to see them near top of the table in 2022.

 

Keep up-to-date with all AFL Central West related news by following us on Facebook and Instagram