A number of junior girls football teams were launched across Adelaide in the past week, including a college and club recognised for its strong Crows connection.

Adelaide has thrown its support behind female football, with the Club completing its fourth talent trial in partnership with the SANFL at its West Lakes training base on Saturday.

The Crows have committed to developing the women’s football pathway as Adelaide prepares its bid for to compete in the inaugural season of the AFL’s women’s league next year.

Find out more about Adelaide’s commitment to women’s football

While the sport expands at the elite level, interest has also filtered down to grassroots clubs. Goodwood Saints, Salisbury, Mitcham, Colonel Light Gardens, Angle Vale, Kenilworth and Morphettville Park were among several clubs to launch junior girls programs and attract a new generation to the game.

The SMOSH Football Club also held its first junior girls football session at St Michael’s College. The school and SMOSH in particular have shared a close association with the Crows over the years.

Of the current squad, Scott Thompson was a St Michael’s graduate and Brodie Smith played at SMOSH during his junior career. Assistant coach Scott Camporeale attended the college and returned to play A Grade football at the club after his 252-game AFL career.

Former Crows Trent Ormond-Allen and Justin Cicolella both played for the Lions following their retirement from AFL. Matthew Kluzek, who played 24 AFL games between 1994 and 1996, also captained St Michael’s school team.

Current Crows staff members Jarrod Meers and Vince Del Bono, who was a teacher at the college for 10 years, are other graduates.

Adelaide’s SANFL development squad has also used the school as a training venue in the past.

SMOSH Junior Football Director Lucas Stubing said many of the girls had shown interest in following in the footsteps of their local Crows heroes.

“A lot of the girls are aware of the pathways that have been established, and that’s exciting for them,” he said.

“A few of them are already thinking about the bigger picture. It’s a real thing for them now to play football at a serious level. From what I’ve seen already, they’re definitely tough enough and the skills are there too.

“For others, they just want to get involved in a new sport and try something different. We encourage that as well.”

A promising group of girls participated in the club’s inaugural training session, with greater numbers expected in the coming weeks.

Stubing said the shift in football’s reputation as a sport now available to both genders was an important one for the future growth of the game.

“Our program’s about making football available to young girls to set them up for the future if that’s the path they want to take,” he said.

“We’ve been a really strong boys footy club with a seniors program as well, but with the momentum building at AFL and SANFL level, it’s an opportunity that we’ve decided to support. And I know several other clubs have done something similar.

“I’m really positive about it. It’s exciting for us and the sport in general.”

Stubing’s own 14-year-old daughter, Jasmine, was one of the young hopefuls to take part in the club’s first session.

He said his daughter typified what the program was all about.

“My daughter’s been around football a long time. She’s been around it basically her whole life and has always wanted to play,” Stubing said.

“This opportunity has now has married up with that. That’s been one of the driving forces why I’ve decided to get behind it.

“Maybe we’ll see her in a Crows jumper on Adelaide Oval one day, who knows?”