The move comes four years after the Tigers first entered the AFL Canberra senior Women’s League and continues the steady growth of the club’s Women’s AFL program.

The formation of the Tigers’ Youth Girls program comes off the back of Queanbeyan’s premiership success in 2013.

Last year saw the Tigerettes take out the Women’s League division 2 title after an undefeated campaign – picking up their first ever piece of silverware in women’s competition.

And inaugural Youth Girls coach Paul Lyons said the club’s championship run had proved the impetus for getting the junior program up and running.

“Going through as undefeated premiers last year was a huge success for the club,” Lyons said. “The club has tried a couple of times in the past to get a [Youth Girls] team together but it never eventuated.

 “But I think doing so well in the Women’s League more recently has attracted a few more girls to the club.

“There are a few of the women’s players with youngers sisters or cousins who’ve seen what happened last year and have thought to themselves that they wouldn’t mind giving it a go.

“So it’s definitely generated a bit more interest.”

Lyons said he was confident the numbers would be there to support the youth program with the club having previously canvassed local schools and colleges around Canberra in search of interested players.

“We put the word out and on the back of that we had about 15-17 players turn up at our first come and try day just before Christmas so I think the interest is going to be there for sure,” he said.

Lyons has previously co-coached the Tigerettes for the past two years alongside Robert Anderson and also coached the ACT Youth Girls representative side at last October’s national championships.

Any players aged 13-18yrs interested in finding out more about the Tigerettes’ Youth Girls program should contact Judy Mustard on 0419 822 446 or the Queanbeyan Tigers club on 6299 3467. 

Any players aged 13-18yrs interested in finding out more about the Tigerettes’ Youth Girls program should contact Judy Mustard on 0419 822 446 or the Queanbeyan Tigers club on 6299 3467.