The Arnhem Crows women's team made history on the weekend by defeating the Katherine Camels by more than eight goals at home in Barunga.
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According to AFLNT Regional Development Manager Gavin May, Arnhem are the first female remote community team in an Urban AFL competition Australia-wide.
Boasting 32 registered players in a season where two prominent men's teams have folded for lack of numbers, the team is forging a powerful example for female sport.
Team joint captain Huia Haerewa says the impact for the ladies' self-esteem has been profound and immediate.
"It's been amazing and i didn't actually think it would take off as well as it has," she said.
"Obviously with sport in communities generally being male-dominated, most of the women get to a certain age and just stop exercising, stop getting all those benefits.
"We've got players from 16 up to their mid-thirties playing and every one of them has spoken about just bursting with pride to be out there.
"Having a win at home on the weekend with the community supporting them, it just makes them feel fantastic to be doing something for themselves and their community," Ms Haerewa said.
Team manager and organising force behind the Arnhem Crows, Helen Lee, says the impact on the ground goes far beyond football.
"It does give them a sense of self-respect and esteem in the community to be playing football," she said.
"The purpose of having a women's team is the social well-being and mental status of the women in community, no more sitting around mob way.
"We hope it gives them a broader insight and perspective on life and what ways they can live.
"The team is anti-drugs, we have a code of conduct against all forms of family violence be it verbal or physical and the ladies have to get their women's health checks as well.
"The men have actually been incredibly supportive coming down to help with drills and all.
"We are trying to get these young men and women to understand they have to respect one another, to collab orate productively and support one another.
"I do see football as a really positive way for them to do that," Ms Lee said.
Ms Lee says the community began organising a team after player and community-member Shiona Farrell gave her 'a tap on the shoulder'.
"I feel super proud of myself and my community," Shiona said.
"A win in front of my home town with a huge crowd was just amazing," she said.
With the AFLNT's push to bring more suburban football into community settings, the scene is now set for other women's teams to follow the lead set by Arnhem and Barunga.
"Shiona deserves her credit because without her there would be no women's team, she was the one who went out and got everyone keen and made it happen," Ms Lee said.
"Everybody in this community is so proud to have a women's team now and the ladies themselves are really happy.
"The majority of our girls are from Barunga, but we've also got players from Ngukurr, Beswick, Jilkminggan and Boroloola.
"We hope that as we have a go it will show women in other communities that because we've done it, there's nothing stopping them from being footballers for their own communities in the future too," she said.
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