The best young female indigenous footballers have been showing off their skills in a week-long tournament in Melbourne.
The inaugural "Kickstart" grand final was won today by the Northern Territory, but the week-long championships do much more than simply showcase great sporting ability.
"We know that women in our own families are the backbone of every family," AFL Victoria's Indigenous Programs Manager Aaron Clark said.
"And if we can get these girls to recognise that and sort of put their foot down in their own communities, and be good role models and leaders."
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The five-day tournament involved seven teams at under-18 level, including all states and territories.
The series was used to select an all-Australian indigenous women’s team, which will compete next May against the other states in the National Youth Championships. Indigenous players Chris Johnson, a triple premiership winner with Brisbane, and Xavier Clarke, who played 100 games for St Kilda, selected a 40-strong squad.
