Riverina footballers invited to take part in the inaugural AFL NSW-ACT Summer Series

The best women's footballers from across the state have been invited to take part in the inaugural series that gets underway in February next year.

Newton and Jordan Barrett are two experienced players from the AFL Southern NSW women's competition that have been invited to take part.

Also among the invitees are talented Riverina footballers Millie Gentle, Zara Hamilton, Paris Crelley, India Lehman, Jodie Hicks and Sally Scott.

Four teams, two each representing Sydney Swans and Greater Western Sydney (GWS), will face off in a five-week series, that will include a week of orientation and combine-style testing.

The idea is to showcase the state's best talent to help with the Swans' list-build ahead of their AFL Women's (AFLW) debut in 2023, while also helping the Giants recruit.

Newton, who has joined Collingullie-GP this year as assistant coach, jumped at the chance to take part.

"I think it's going to be an awesome opportunity for a lot of girls to get their names out there," Newton said.

"They said they will be looking for up-and-coming players to recruit from so it's an awesome opportunity.

"Whatever happens, I'm really excited to give it a crack."

Originally from Walgett, Newton is a veterinary science student at Charles Sturt University.

The 23-year-old started with CSU's women's team but missed last season after undergoing a knee reconstruction and has since crossed to Collingullie.

She trained with the men there this year, while travelling to play with Tuggeranong in the AFL Canberra women's competition.

The summer series starts on February 5 and continues weekly until March 12. It will clash for a large part with the Southern NSW competition.

Crelley will line-up for one of the Swans teams, while the remainder of the Riverina representatives will form part of the Giants.

AFL NSW-ACT boss Tiffany Robertson is glad to be able to provide the state's budding female talent with an opportunity to take the next step.

"The women's summer series will showcase the best talent we have to offer," Robertson said.

"It is an opportunity for players with elite ambition to take the next step towards their dream of an AFLW berth - this is their chance to prove themselves against the best.

"AFL NSW-ACT is excited to support the next generation of stars show their talent and demonstrate their fitness, skills and commitment on the big stage."

Sydney Swans' executive general manager - AFLW, Kate Mahony confirmed the Swans will use the series to pick up players.

"It takes a tremendous amount of effort to build a quality list from scratch, and the women's summer series will bring NSW and ACT footballers together to compete to be the best. This series is a step closer to creating history at the club, as we look to forming a competitive AFLW team," Mahony said.

"It will be incredibly exciting to watch the series discover future AFLW athletes from across local competitions as they chase their dream of pulling on the red and white guernsey."

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