As Essendon’s new draftees return to the training track, the AFL is embarking upon a talent search of its own.

Throughout January and February the AFL is conducting a national female talent search.

The campaign aims to provide female athletes, currently active in other sports, the opportunity to test their football fitness and skills.

Last month, Essendon hosted two training sessions for around 80 members of the Victorian Women’s Academy.

The Bombers will conduct further sessions in March and have stated their intention to bid for a license for the proposed national competition set to commence in 2017.

The first session in the AFL’s national talent search will be held on Saturday January 23rd.

AFL General Manager Game and Market Development, Simon Lethlean said the testing sessions would seek new talent amongst athletes who are not currently registered as Australian football players.

“We want Australian football to be the sport of choice for female athletes and we know there are many talented footballers that have backgrounds in other sports,” he said. 

“We want to engage with these players and give them the chance to enhance their football skills while expanding our talent pool as we look towards the national women’s competition in 2017.”

You can register for the program here.

Melbourne

9am-2.30pm

Saturday January 23

Whitten Oval

Perth

8am-1.30pm

Saturday January 30

Trinity Grammar 

Brisbane

9am-2.30pm

Sunday February 7

Anglican Church Grammar

Adelaide

9am-2.30pm

Sunday February 14

Prince Alfred College

Sydney

9am-2.30pm

Sunday February 21

St Ignatius College

Hobart

9am-2.30pm

Sunday February 28

Newtown High School