Queensland’s Sundevils, Australia’s most successful women’s state gridiron team, are boosting the sport’s national profile while showcasing the growing strength of women’s gridiron across the country.
Since 2013, the Queensland representative side has been undefeated across all games and competitions and national champions four campaigns in a row.
According to Alex Ahrens, Vice President of American Football Queensland and Sundevils offensive line, the team’s current campaign sees them facing off against the Western Australia Raiders.
“Each campaign is slightly different, but the values of the Sundevils are commitment, toughness, and effort,” Ms Ahrens said.
With the team being open to all backgrounds, ages and experience levels, she said the Sundevils’ focus was on building a culture where women are judged on their commitment, effort, and ability.
“Many of our athletes come to the sport having never played before, so we place a strong emphasis on mentorship, education, and creating a positive team environment where everyone can develop at their own pace,” she said.
Empowering Women Through International Pathways
Ms Ahrens said her biggest achievement was centred around the team’s recent partnership with Women’s Football Alliance (WFA), giving “current and future players international pathways to play at an even higher level.”
“We have 22 athletes heading over to Canton, OH (USA), in July this year to play on Team World (an inaugural international exhibition in WFA), while having representatives from the WFA visit the Moreton Bay region creates a unique opportunity for Australian athletes to learn from some of the best players, coaches, and administrators in the sport,” Ms Ahrens said.
She said Moreton Bay was becoming one of Queensland’s great sporting communities that “continues to invest heavily in sport and women’s sporting opportunities”.
However, American football in Australia is currently self-funded across the board, with sponsorship, according to Ms Ahrens, being critical to “helping us grow participation, improve athlete development opportunities, reduce barriers to entry, and continue building pathways for women in football”.
She said the best place for prospective players, volunteers, supporters, and sponsors to stay updated was through the American Football Queensland online and various social media channels. A dedicated campaign can also be found on Instagram via @matesratesaf.
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