Academy honour for dynamic duo

By Stuart Teather
IT will be a case of double trouble at next year’s AFL Victoria Youth Girls Academy, when two of Noble Park’s finest footballers take part in the program.
Fifteen-year-old twins Georgia and Sarah Punton will join the academy in its second year, after being named in the final squad for the 2009 intake on Saturday night.
The girls from Noble Park Junior Football Club capped off a stellar season in which both played for their state against Queensland in the under 18 Youth Girls Championship, and helped Noble Park to the finals in the South Eastern Youth Girls competition.
Both play a similar style of tough, committed football despite playing on different parts of the field, and while Georgia kicks with her right foot, Sarah favours the left.
Georgia took part in the academy program this year, and proud mother Lorraine said it improved her daughter’s skills immensely.
“She said she’s improved her skills, that’s probably why she got the runner-up best and fairest as well,” Mrs Punton said.
“She got best on ground something like eight out of the 14 rounds this year.”
“Sarah was very excited that she got in as well.”
The academy is a program designed to help the best female junior footballers in the state further their football skills, as well as a number of other areas.
Based at Windy Hill, the program will also provide the girls training on drugs and alcohol, leadership skills, driver training and media skills.
The girls will also complete a basic umpire training course and a junior coaching course.
The announcement was made during the Youth Girls Presentation night, where the Punton sisters also featured in the South Eastern league awards.
Playing through the midfield, Georgia was named the South Eastern league’s runner-up best and fairest with 22 votes, just two behind Berwick’s Amy Decker.
Sarah received her team’s award for best team player, particularly for her role in the defence, and her ability to motivate her teammates.
Noble Park also picked up another award, with the club named best conducted club in the South Eastern division.