Central West stars join state’s elite
Orange Tigers' Erin Naden in action in 2019. Today she'll lineup alongside Bushrangers' Elly Rudd in the inaugural AFLW Summer Series.
PHOTO: Jude Keogh, Central Western Daily
One hundred and twenty of the best footballers from NSW and the ACT will compete in the first round of the Women’s Summer Series this Saturday, 12 February at Tom Wills Oval, Sydney Olympic Park.
Four sides (two representing the GIANTS, two representing the Sydney Swans) will complete with players looking to stand out from the pack as elite recruiters watch on.
Excitingly, two of the Central West’s rising stars have made the elite group for the inaugural series. Erin Naden (Orange Tigers) and Elly Rudd (Bathurst Bushrangers) join the GIANTS Orange side for the five-week series.
Erin is a former Western Region Academy of Sport (WRAS) graduate, and current local AFL Development Officer, who is likely to ply her trade in AFL Sydney for 2022.
Elly is a current member of the GIANTS Academy Under-19s squad, and WRAS graduate.
Both women have been travelling to Sydney weekly as part of the training program for Academy and Summer Series, and will now continue to do so for the weekly matches.
READ: Football season isn’t over for junior GIANTS Academy stars
Casey White, Competition and Development Coordinator – Central West said the selection of Erin and Elly was a credit to the development of the local women’s competition.
“Our Youth Girls pathway is flourishing with four teams, many of whom are progressing to Development Squad and Academy level at the GIANTS.
“This selection showcases that players can make it to an elite level whilst playing in the Central West. With so many girls selected for Phase One of GIANTS Academy in December 2021, the Central West could be represented in this series for the foreseeable future.
“Having two NSW-based AFLW teams in 2023 will create so many more opportunities for our players. I hope Erin and Elly both make the most of this opportunity and put the Central West on the map.”
Briana Harvey, GIANTS Head of Women’s Football, said: “The introduction of the Women’s Summer Series allows us, for the first time, to have an underpinning competition for those not selected to play at AFLW level.
“It’s a great opportunity for our train-on players, Academy athletes and other players across NSW and the ACT to be part of a development program as they work towards playing at the elite level.”
READ: AFL Central West benefit from TOYOTA Grants
Team lists including the players’ community clubs are available here.
The matches will be live streamed at AFL NSW/ACT’s Facebook page across three rounds culminating in finals.
Results and other information will be posted to www.aflnswact.com.au/wsummerseries
Matchdays
Saturday 12 Feb – Tom Wills Oval, Sydney Olympic Park
Swans White (Sydney) vs. GIANTS Orange (Sydney) at 12pm – LIVE STREAM LINK
GIANTS Charcoal (ACT/SNSW) vs. Swans Red (HCC/NNSW) at 2pm
Sunday 20 Feb – Blacktown International Sports Park
GIANTS Charcoal (ACT/SNSW) vs. GIANTS Orange (Sydney) at 12pm
Swans White (Sydney) vs. Swans Red (HCC/NNSW) 2pm
Saturday 5 March or Sunday 6 March (TBA) – Blacktown International Sports Park
GIANTS Charcoal (ACT/SNSW) vs Swans White (Sydney) at 12pm
Swans Red (HCC/NNSW) vs GIANTS Orange (Sydney) at 2pm
Finals
Sunday 13 March – Picken Oval, Croydon Park
3rd vs 4th at 12pm
1st vs 2nd at 2pm
