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. Cheap Kobe Bryant Shoes . -- Jonathan Drouin gave Halifax the boost it needed to edge host Sherbrooke Phoenix 3-2 in a shootout in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Kobe Bryant Shoes Free Shipping . Now tied for second in the league in shootout goals, the 24-year-old likes to see what the opposing goaltender has in store before he ultimately lands on a move. https://www.cheapkobebryantshoes.com/ . In the lead up - which seemed to begin the moment Mike Geiger blew the whistle in Houston last Thursday night - the Impact rumour mill went into overdrive. The speculation went into meltdown mode, of the golden nugget variety. Kobe Bryant Shoes From China . LOUIS -- Alexander Steen scored a power-play goal with 59. Kobe Bryant Shoes For Sale . Kuznetsov, who was selected by the Capitals in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, has been playing for his hometown team Chelyabinsk Traktor of the KHL. 88 v Pakistan, Headingley 2010Australia chose to bat at Headingley in the final Test of the two-match series against Pakistan, but were soon undone by the opposition pace attack. Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul removed the top five, and then Mohammad Amir took three to bowl them out for their lowest score since 1984. Australia bounced back with 349 in their second innings, but Pakistan chased down the target of 180 with three wickets left.98 v England, Melbourne, 2010After 25 years (1985 to 2009) in which they had been dismissed for less than 100 in a Test innings only once, Australia were bundled out for double-digit totals twice in 2010. The second one came in Melbourne, where they were dismissed for 98 after being put in by England in the Boxing Day Test. James Anderson and Chris Tremlett both took four-fors in Englands win by an innings and 57 runs, which also retained the Ashes.47 v South Africa, Cape Town, 2011 Australia seemed to have the game won when they rolled over South Africa for 96 - gaining a 188-run lead on the first innings - but tthings changed drastically.dddddddddddd They were shot out for 47, their fourth-lowest and worst since 1902, in 18 overs. Vernon Philander took 5 for 15 on debut; the top-scorer in the innings was No. 11 Nathan Lyon. South Africa won the game by eight wickets.60 v England, Nottingham, 2015 Stuart Broad ran riot after England won the toss at Trent Bridge. In his first ten balls, he dismissed Australias top four for six runs. Things didnt get any better for Australia. Broad took 8 for 15 in 9.3 overs, one of the most remarkable bowling figures in recent times, to help England regain the Ashes. It was Australias lowest score in England since 1902.85 v South Africa, Hobart, 2016 The latest first-innings flop for Australia, this time at home. Vernon Philander was once again their chief tormentor, taking 5 for 21. Australias captain Steven Smith made an unbeaten 48, but even he could not help Australia to three figures. ' ' '