Fresh from a superb year with the Gold Coast SUNS, AFL Women’s Premiership player Sarah Perkins has switched her attention to inspiring the next crop of AFLW players.
 
Perkins has been announced as an Assistant Coach for the Queensland Under 18 state team, who’ll compete in the upcoming 2022 NAB AFLW National Championships.
 
“I’m really excited for the opportunity to be able to mentor the next generation of AFLW stars as an Assistant Coach for the Queensland Under 18 team,” said Perkins.
 
“The team that’s been assembled is full of talent and I see a lot of potential for these players to go on to become AFLW footballers.
 
“I hope I can play a role in coaching and educating these players to give them the best chance to make it to the highest level.”
 
Sarah Perkins with Queensland Under 18 Female squad member Jasmyn Smith. Photo by Glenn Hunt/AFL Photos
 
The squad, which was announced earlier in the month, is comprised of Queensland’s brightest young talent coming through the ranks, which representation from North Queensland, Capricornia, Darling Downs and the Southeast.
 
The Championships allow our future stars of the women’s game to play the highest standard of underage representative football.
 
Also in Assistant Coaching roles for the Queensland squad include; Gold Coast SUNS Under 19 Academy Coach James Barrett and Brisbane Lions Academy Coach Scott Cowley.
 
Gold Coast SUNS Female Pathway Manager, Sam Iles, heads up the team.
 
“Queensland female football is getting stronger each year and we want to expose these athletes to elite-level football as soon as possible,” said Iles.
 
“The Championships will be a fantastic opportunity for these girls to showcase their talent and put their names forward ahead of the AFLW draft.
 
“I’m excited by the talent we have in the ranks and the experienced heads we have around the team and am confident we’ll be able to match it with the best teams in the country.”
 
Queensland will begin their campaign on Tuesday, April 19 against Victoria Metro at Metricon Stadium.
 
2022 NAB AFL Women’s National Championships 

Date

Match

Location

Sunday 10 April

South Australia v Western Australia

SA

Friday 15 April

Western Australia v WAFLW All Stars

WA

Saturday 16 April

South Australia v Vic Country

SA

Monday 18 April

NSW/ACT v Allies (NT/Tas)

Sydney

Tuesday 19 April

Queensland v Vic Metro

Gold Coast – Metricon Stadium

Friday 22 April

Vic Metro v Western Australia

Melbourne

Friday 22 April

Allies (NT/Tas/NSW/ACT) v South Australia

Melbourne

Friday 22 April

Vic Country v Queensland

Melbourne

Saturday 30 April

Queensland v Allies (NT/Tas/NSW/ACT)

Queensland