Are you ready to be part of the fastest growing women’s sport in the world? Do you have the drive and determination to be part of a successful team? Can you see yourself making history as your team is crowned the first ever Champions of the Australian LFL?
If you answered yes to these questions then you have to get yourself to the final open tryouts to be part of the action. LFL Global Chairman Mitchell Mortaza will join LFL Australia officials as they host a national Open Tryout Tour.
The Australian LFL consists of the Brisbane Brigade, Western Australia Angels, Victoria Maidens and New South Wales Surge. This will be your last opportunity to pit your skills against some of the best athletes in the country.
The current squads have been going through their paces for several months now and the skill levels that these girls have shown are extraordinary. They have all come from different backgrounds and each girl brings something unique to the league.
It won’t be a picnic, don’t expect a walk in the park. The competition for places in the squads will be intense, the drills will have you gasping for breath and the hits are real. It is not for the faint hearted. This is real!
Every girl on the team has a specific role and you are there to cover your team makes back, while they look out for yours. The camaraderie within the squads is empowering. After all, this is state against state and we all know what that rivalry is like across other sporting codes.
The first trials are for the Brisbane Brigade. They are being held this Saturday March 2nd.
Field: Bulimba Rugby League Club, Bulimba Street, Bulimba, QLD. Time: 9AM -12PM.
The Brigade have been going through their paces and have started to show some great skill levels in a short period of time. They have an incredibly talented coaching staff, headed by Luke Chapman. According to Wide Receiver Ashley ‘The Grenade’ Brasil, ‘They are working extremely hard on and off the field to put together a championship team. They inspire us through their determination and dedication and it will definitely show when we step on the field in December’.
Ashley and her team mate Danielle ‘My little Pony’ Sutcliffe are originally from Canada and have said ‘The best part of being a member of the Brigade is having a family away from home.’ Ashley went on to say ‘It’s an amazing feeling to find a group of girls whose passion for football is as strong as mine and we have been really pushing each other to become the best players we can be.’
Ashley comes from a hockey background while Danielle was a gymnast.
Next up is the Western Australia Angels. Their final tryout is Sunday March 3rd.
Field:George Burnett Park, Manning Rd, Karawarra WA. Time: 1PM – 4PM.
The Angels have a good cross section of athletes in their squad. And that is what makes the LFL such an amazing sport. Two such players are defensive end Stephanie Lethborg and wide receiver Tammie West. Stephanie came from a figure fitness background as well as playing the role of ‘Bionica’ on the TV show Gladiators, while Tammie was a national lacrosse player.
Coach JR Rogers says ‘The best thing about coaching in the LFL with The Angels is most of these players know what it takes to be elite from their previous background in sports. We just teach them Football and that is the easy and fun part’.
Then it is on to the Victorian Maidens. They will be on Saturday March 9th.
Field: Sydney Pargeter Reserve, Power Rd, Endeavour Hills, VIC. Time: 10AM – 1PM.
The Maidens have come together well and word from training sessions is that they are pumped about the inaugural season.
Wide receiver Goldy ‘Smiling Assassin’ Floyd had this to say about the squad, ‘The camaraderie amongst the team is is like nothing I’ve experienced in other teams. There is a really close bond between all of us which is evident both when we’re together and training and in our personal lives. I guess it’s rare to find a large group of girls who all get along and support each other.’
Goldy came from a water sports background while fellow team mate Tara ‘Tornado’ Silberbaur came from athletics. Both girls enjoy going to sessions each week to train with such an incredible group of girls. Goldy continued, ‘The LFL experience has been great. It’s been challenging committing to learning a completely new sport and re-training our bodies to meet the demand of the gridiron.’
The final destination is the New South Wales Surge. Their tryouts are on Sunday March 10th.
Field: Sir Thomas Mitchell Reserve, Alexander Street, Dundas Valley, NSW. Time: 12PM – 4PM.
The Surge have been training as a squad the longest of the four teams and have shown great skill levels on the training field. Like the other teams they have a diverse range of athletes in the current group. Ranging from basketball, baseball, surf lifesaving and gymnastics.
Two such players are tightend Renae ‘Big Red’ Hahn who came from playing netball. She said, ‘I’ve played representative netball all my life and was supposed to go back and trial for state league teams again but went to a football training session and never looked back.’
Kate ‘Polish Demolish’ Lilly was a Free Style Olympic Wrestler and was the National Champion. She hopes to be a linebacker and says, “I cant wait to tackle and smash and demolish opponents !’
When asked about the girls progress Coach Jason Gaffey said, ‘What continues to impress me is their continued dedication, determination and commitment to learning the game and getting better and better every week.’
Looking at the current squads shows you that there is a diverse range of athletes on show who all bring something unique to this league. If you think you have what it takes to be one of these supremely fit and focused athletes or know someone who is, then make sure you get down to one of the tryouts to be part of this amazing league that is sure to take Australia by storm!
