Katherine locals Charlie Simmonds, and Jaimie Bryant, were selected in Darwin earlier this month at the School Sport NT and AFL Northern Territory’s Under 15 development camp. 

The camp ran across three days with scouts selecting the best from teams of nominated players from right across the Northern Territory. 

Katherine High School teacher and AFL coach Sam Clarke travelled with the girls and their team of 15 to Darwin.  

“The event was much bigger this year, pretty much every region had a team, whereas last year we only took up two girls from Katherine,” Ms Clarke said. 

“This is one step closer for (Charlie and Jaimie) to get where they want to get,” she said.

Playing five games over the weekend the Katherine team came very close to winning some of the games.

Ms Simmonds said she wants to play professionally, and being scouted at the development camp was a big step.

“I went to the (development camp) trying to get scouted. It’s about getting noticed,” she said. 

“When we play in Adelaide there will be lots of people watching and more opportunity to get scouted.”

Playing for the Darwin Under 15 Girls NT AFL Team will mean more training and more support on field from a team with a good understanding of the game, they said. 

But aiming for the big leagues is no easy feat. 

In an attempt to raise money for flights to Adelaide, accommodation and new uniforms, Ms Simmonds and Ms Bryant have set up a Go Fund Me page, hoping to raise $4000 from sponsors.  

You can support the girls here.