Twelve months ago, Steve Mann commented at the club’s annual junior presentation day that he would be interested in trying to form a youth girls team.

This Sunday, almost a year to the day since Mann had that idea, he will coach that team in the inaugural Central West AFL youth girls grand final against the Orange Tigers.

The Giants team has a collection of experience and newcomers within its ranks.

Five of the girls have previously played in under 12s and under 14s finals with the club, while the others have come from a wide range of sporting backgrounds.

It is a combination that has worked well, with the Giants having lost just one game so far this season. On top of that, a number of the squad have stepped up to help out the club’s women’s side.

“The girls have been quick to pick up the basics and have enjoyed the challenge of learning new skills,” Mann said. 

“They have trained two nights a week since March and have shown great improvement each week.

“The girls have been training hard and are very excited about competing in their first footy grand final. They have worked hard all season and deserve to be there on Sunday.”

As well as earning a shot at the premiership, a number of the Giants have been successful in the representative area as well.

Five Giants made the Western Region Academy of Sport’s Australian rules squad, nine represented AFL Central West against Northern Riverina across two divisions, and eight lined up for the league at the Shoalhaven Junior Representative Carnival in July.

“The club has worked hard in transitioning the girls to senior football, with seven girls making their senior debut across the season, which continues the strong junior traditions on which the Giants were built,” Kevin Walker, Giants’ club president, said.

“The future of the club looks really bright.”

The Giants play the Orange Tigers from 2pm at George Park 1.

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