In Week 2 of this term, Byford Primary joined West Byford Primary and Woodland Grove Primary for the first-ever girls-only AFL carnival! The half-day event, hosted by West Byford Primary, brought together 19 enthusiastic Year 5 and 6 girls from our school for a fun and inclusive day of footy.

With only a week and a half to prepare, after a spontaneous decision to put on this carnival, our team showed incredible commitment and enthusiasm. They made the most of every opportunity to train, squeezing in sessions during lunchtimes, before school, and even after school. Some girls even practised in their own time, an amazing display of dedication!

The carnival was a friendly, non-scoring event designed to give girls the chance to experience AFL in a supportive environment, promote community, and encourage participation in the sport. The weather was perfect, and our girls, many of whom had never played before, gave their all on the field and had a fantastic time.

A big thank you to Mrs Charlton for being such a wonderful support and an awesome coach on the day, and to our parents and carers who helped with transport to and from the event. It was fantastic to see our students’ confidence grow, and for many, this experience has sparked a new interest in AFL that might just continue beyond the carnival!