s know that pathway is there for them..Hickey also brushed off concerns female players could be at greater risk of concussion, with campaigner Peter Jess recently warning there was

The number of girls and women playing Australian rules football has soared, according to figures released by the AFL.Total female participation increased 19 per cent in 2016 to 380,041, AFL game and development manager Simon Lethlean said on Tuesday.The number of girls playing Auskick grew by 21 per cent and 354 new community club teams were launched in 2016, with females now accounting for 27 percent of all footballers.It comes as the new AFL womens league prepares to kick off its inaugural season in February, with a number of games expected to be played as curtain-raisers to the mens pre-season clashes.(Womens footy) has been the biggest growth part of our industry now for three or four years, Lethlean said.That momentum has taken off. There are recognisable role models now and a competition starting in February. We expect that to really keep on increasing and its an exciting part of our industry.Male participation was up 10 percent in 2016 to 1,024,135 but Lethlean said the somewhat softer growth was no cause for concern.I think our male growth is still solid ... 1.4 million (total) participants around Australia is a fantastic outcome. We intend for that to keep growing and we intend to keep investing, he said.The fixture for the seven-week womens competition has been finalised but is yet to be released, with the AFL working to lock in broadcast deals for the games.Melbourne marquee player Melissa Hickey said the AFL had become far more inclusive since her childhood.I grew up in the country, so I was the only girl in my grade five and six football team, she said.It probably wasnt quite the thing to do when I was a bit younger. I think thats the beauty of our womens league. Its becoming so common so the young kids know that pathway is there for them..Hickey also brushed off concerns female players could be at greater risk of concussion, with campaigner Peter Jess recently warning there was potential for a catastrophic injury.Were susceptible to the same injuries (as the men), Hickey said.It happens but its not something Im concerned about. George King Jersey . Hey!" The lower tier of the School End of Queens Park Rangers Loftus Road was packed solid with a very festive-sounding Chelsea choral section in this particular part of South Africa Road London, W12. Elie Okobo Jersey . Murray beat Sam Querrey 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-1, 6-3 to clinch Britains opening-round victory against the United States on Sunday at Petco Park. 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Theres nothing wrong with Dalvin.Through three games, Cook has 228 rushing yards for the No. 13 Seminoles (2-1). Cook rushed for 54 yards on 16 carries but failed to score in Saturdays 63-20 loss to No. 3 Louisville.This season, Cook has scored only twice. Both of his rushing touchdowns came in a 52-8 win over Charleston Southern on Sept. 10.Fisher said he was pleased with Cooks performance against Louisville and he believed the running back was close to breaking out.The yards he got the other day, I thought he ran pretty dag gone good, Fisher said. There were a couple, we missed on the kick-out block on their sideline, for some reason we turn up. Its out. We come on a sweep to the right one time early in the game, we get the kick outt on the safety, the back, as were going to make that cut, if he makes that block, its an 80-yard touchdown.ddddddddddddLast season as a sophomore, Cook had 19 rushing touchdowns and 1,691 rushing yards. He received seven first-place votes for the 2015 Heisman Trophy, and he entered this season as one of the favorites to win the award.Cook had right shoulder surgery in April. He also missed all of spring practice in 2014 after injuring the labrum in his right shoulder. Cook had left shoulder surgery before enrolling at Florida State.But Fisher told reporters on Monday that he isnt concerned about Cooks health this season.Cook has normal bumps and bruises, Fisher said. 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