Women's Sport in Cairns: Teams, Leagues and How to Get Involved

Women's sport in Cairns has never been in better shape. Across football codes, court sports, endurance events and water sports, women and girls in Far North Queensland have a growing range of competitions to enter, teams to join and pathways to follow. Whether you are a seasoned competitor or someone who has been meaning to try a new sport for years, the local scene is welcoming and active.

Australian Rules football has one of the strongest women's programs in the region. AFL Cairns runs a senior women's competition alongside its men's grades, and clubs across the city field women's teams that train and play on weekends. The AFL's investment in the women's game at all levels has flowed through to regional areas, and Cairns is no exception. Girls' junior football is also available through the AFL Cairns junior competition, giving young players a clear pathway from the under-tens right through to senior women's footy.

Netball remains one of the most widely played women's sports in Cairns and Far North Queensland. Netball Far North runs both junior and senior competitions, with a large number of clubs fielding women's and girls' teams across the region. The sport has strong school and community links that make it easy to find a team no matter what part of the city you live in. Super Netball, the national women's league, is broadcast on free-to-air television each season and provides elite role models for younger players.

Rugby league has a growing women's and girls' footprint in Cairns through the Queensland Rugby League's women's competition structure. The Northern Pride supports women's pathways through the QRL system, and the popularity of the NRL Women's Premiership at the national level has helped drive interest and participation locally. Cricket Far North also runs women's and girls' competitions through the wet-season calendar, and swimming and triathlon clubs actively encourage female members at all levels.

For women looking to get involved in endurance sport, the Ironman Cairns event (the Cairns Airport Ironman Asia-Pacific Championship) draws a large field of female athletes each year and has a strong community of local women who train together through triathlon and running clubs. The Great Barrier Reef Marathon and local parkruns are also popular entry points for women who are new to running. Whatever the sport, Cairns has a community ready to welcome you.

Sources: AFL Cairns Netball Queensland Ironman Cairns

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