The Bond University Bullsharks will join the Queensland Women’s Australian Football League (QWAFL) for season 2018.
The announcement comes off the back of a successful year for Bond. The Bullsharks claimed their first premiership in the Women’s Football Association (QWFA) Division 1 competition and players Molly Ritson and Krystal Scott were selected in the NAB AFLW Rookie Draft by the Brisbane Lions.
Bond University Executive Director of Sport, Garry Nucifora, said the successful license application marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
“Our women’s football team has experienced a meteoric rise to success in the past twelve months and we are extremely proud of their achievements,” Mr Nucifora said.
“To win their first grand final in the 2017 QWFA Division 1 after just three years in the competition, and have two players picked at the 2017 AFL Women’s draft, shows the potential the team has to make a swift and striking impact when they enter the QWAFL in 2018.”
The addition of the Bond Bullsharks will make it an even eight teams in the QWAFL for 2018; with five in Brisbane, two on the Gold Coast and one on the Sunshine Coast.
AFL Queensland State Football Manager, Barry Gibson, welcomed the inclusion.
“We are delighted to welcome Bond University into the QWAFL,” said Mr Gibson.
“Bond has invested in its football program and has a very clear strategy to develop a genuine high-performance female program.’
The new-look QWAFL will kick off after Easter in 2018.
2018 QWAFL COMPETITION
Bond University
Coolangatta
Coorparoo
Maroochydore
University of Queensland
Wilston Grange
Yeronga South Brisbane
Zillmere