The Adelaide Football Club has joined forces with the SANFL to promote and grow women’s football in South Australia.

The two organisations are collaborating to maximise Adelaide’s planned talent trial which will now also signal the start of the SANFL All Stars Program of 2016.

The trial will be held on Saturday, February 6 and will attract players already identified as being the best in the State, along with talented female athletes from other sports with an interest in pursuing opportunities in football.

It will be run by leading coaches and high performance experts at the Crows’ world class training facility at West Lakes.

Registered participants will be included in the SANFL All Stars Squad and embark on an eight-week training program leading into selection for the SANFL All Stars Game.

The SANFL All Stars game will again be played as an AFL curtain raiser at Adelaide Oval following the success of last year’s game which saw 11,000 in attendance by games end.

Crows Head of Football David Noble said the trial was another important step towards the Club hopefully having a team in an AFL women’s competition in 2017.

“We are committed to doing everything we can to obtain a licence for the inaugural competition,” Noble said.

“Female participation in our game is increasing every year and we want to be able to provide an avenue for these athletes to play at the elite level.

“With the creation of our women’s football advisory group and our agreement with AFL NT, as well as key appointments such as Jane Woodlands-Thompson, we feel well placed for success.”

SANFL General Manager Football Adam Kelly said it was an exciting time for females playing football in South Australia.

“The SANFL All Stars program provides athletes with access to great coaches and facilities plus the opportunity to once again play in an AFL curtain raiser at Adelaide Oval, with the program culminating in the selection of the 2016 State squad.”

“The players in this program and in our State Under 18s have added motivation to showcase their talent with the AFL and its clubs committed to a national competition.”

Those interested in attending the talent trial should visit http://sanfl.wufoo.com/forms/sanfl-all-stars/ to register.