Peel Thunderbirds celebrate Youth Girls Rogers Cup winMonday, September 8, 2014 - 12:34 PM

The Peel Thunderbirds have capped off an outstanding 2014 Youth Girls campaign with their inaugural Rogers Cup win.

Played on HBF Arena on Sunday August 31 with over 1500 people in attendance, the Thunderbirds overcame some inaccurate kicking to run out eventual winners by 19 points - 5.11 (41) to 3.4 (22).

As the curtain raiser to the Swan Districts vs Coastal Titans double header in the Reserves and League, Peel and runners-up Claremont showcased the unlimited potential of the Youth Girls competition, as the game was played in great spirits.

The second season of the Youth Girls competition has gathered great momentum from all nine Districts, with the participation and enjoyment seen throughout the competition.

The Youth Girls Grand Final culminated in the naming of the Fairest & Best winners for the 2014 season, with AFL Manager Female Football Development, Jan Cooper as the MC. Two talented young female footballers couldn’t be split; South Fremantle’s, Beatrice Devlyn and Peel Thunderbird’s Courtney Hodder were both crowned the Fairest and Best for the Youth Girls 2014 competition.

Courtney Hodder capped off a remarkable first season in the Youth Girls as she was also named best on ground for her efforts in the Grand Final victory. A very talented young footballer who has come from playing junior football with the boys, last year Courtney represented Western Australia in the inaugural Female KickStart Championships and was duly named the best player of the championships along with being selected in the Woomeras ‘All Australian Team’.

With Melbourne FC Women’s Team Head Coach Michelle Cowan on hand, along with 2014 AFL Women’s Draft number one pick Tiah Haynes, the Youth Girls Grand Final was a fantastic spectacle for the future generations of female football in WA.

Also at the conclusion of the Grand Final, Youth Girls coaches presented their Coaches Awards to one their players who typified what it means to not only be a great player but also a great person. Congratulations to the following who were recognised on the day.

Swan Districts – Shannan Rene

Peel Thunderbirds – Ebonee Hardie

East Fremantle – Zoe Hops

South Fremantle – Eleanor Devlyn

Claremont – Shailyn Isaac

Coastal Titans – Georgia Siciliano

Perth Angels – Cali Hunt

Joondalup – Tenieka Bruce-Burgess

Coolbinia – Gina Pacino