Women's Australian Football Association

By John Vellante
Globe Correspondent | August 8, 2010

The event received very little, if any, attention in this neck of the woods, but the US and Canadian women’s national teams squared off in the Australian Rules Football 49th Parallel Cup last weekend in Toronto.

For the record, Canada won, 34-15.

The US Freedom traveled to Toronto, Canada to play the Canada Northern Lights for the first time since their initial meetings in 2007.  The teams were not entirely unknown to each other since the Canadian clubs have been competing at the USAFL National Championship tournament since 2007.  The Canadian team was strongly represented by the Calgary Kookaburras who won the 2008 USAFL championship by narrowly defeating the Atlanta Kookaburras and lost the 2009 Championship to the Milwaukee Bombers.

The Columbus Jillaroos traveled to hot and steamy MIlwaukee to play their first match of women's football.  The women were treated to a 3 game curtain raiser between the men's clubs from Milwaukee, Columbus, and Ohio Valley.

The clouds were rolling in when the feature match started.  Columbus sent an initial scare to the home town squad by winning the opening bounce and immediately moving the ball to the goal square.  The Milwaukee defense took possesion just in front of the goal and spoiled the new comers first salvo.

By Jeremy Stewart, Staff Writer | June 30, 2010 | © This Week News

A Columbus Jillaroos practice often starts with a formal introduction of players.

The Australian rules football team comes together in a circle and tries to put names with an ever-growing list of faces. The Jillaroos are Columbus' first entry into the U.S.-based Women's Australia Football Association. It is also thought to be the first women's Australian rules football team to form in Columbus.

Three teams competed for the Mile High Hookup Cup in Denver Colorado on Saturday June 19:  Arizona/Sacramento, Denver, and the Mid East team comprised of players from Minnesota, Milwaukee, Baltimore-Washington, and Atlanta.

Denver vs Arizona

In the first game of the day, the home town team Denver took on Arizona/Sacramento.  With a convincing 3 goals to nil halftime lead it looked like Denver was going to take this win.  Arizona was having non of that and came back for a narrow 2 point victory

Denver 3.1.19
Arizona 3.3.21

US Freedom coach Wayne Kraska is proud to announce the 2010 US Freedom team.  A pool of 60 players went through the tryout process including tournaments in New York and Denver..

The following players will be representing the USAFL in the 49th Parallel Cup against Canada on July 31 and Aug 1.

Players that attend the Denver Womens Tournament have the chance to qualify for the 2010 USA Freedom Team to play the Northern Lights in Toronto on July 31st and August 1st.

Players still wanting to come under consideration for selection should act fast by joining on the Freedom Academy page to ensure the coaches are aware of their intentions.