WA Football

The 2013 AFL National Women's Championships are underway in Cairns, Queensland.

The championships, which kicked off on Monday, June 17 involve eight teams in two divisions. Division One includes Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales.

Division Two includes South Australia, ACT, Tasmania, and for the first time Arafura which includes players from the Northern Territory, Far North Queensland and Papua New Guinea.

The Youth Girls Competition was launched in the metropolitan area on Mother’s Day in a significant step towards bridging the gap in the female player pathway,

Previously, only the most determined female players remained playing alongside boys in junior football competitions. Now there is a dedicated competition for females with teams located throughout different districts. 

The Swans District paved the way by hosting a Youth Girls competition since 2008 and running development academy programs. They have been actively involved in increasing the opportunities for girls Girls, who travelled from all parts of the Metropolitan area to play.

East Fremantle takes on the undefeated Coastal Titans at Medibank Stadium this Saturday June 8 at 5pm.

An unexpected loss to South Fremantle puts East Fremantle in a tough position. After not converting opportunities on the WA day long weekend, East Fremantle lost 3.10 (28) to South Fremantle 6.5 (41) .

Last time they played, East Fremantle was defeated by Coastal Titans 8.12 (60) to 3.8 (26).

SEVEN players from WA’s State U18 Youth Girls team were named in the All Australian side at the completion of the National Championships in Shepparton, Victoria on May 11.

Caitlyn Edwards (East Fremantle), Brianna Green (East Fremantle), Hayley Miller (Joondalup), Kira Phillips (Peel), Ashley Sharp (Swan Districts), Belinda Smith (Claremont) and Emma Swanson (Peel) all received All-Australian honours after starring for WA in their narrow Grand Final loss against Victoria Metro.

TWELVE West Australian women were selected in the inaugural AFL National Women’s Draft last week to represent the Melbourne Football Club and Western Bulldogs at the MCG in June.

This ground breaking match will be the first time AFL clubs have competed in an AFL sanctioned women’s match, with the game to be held on Saturday June 29 as part of AFL Women’s Round.

Showcasing the immense talent in Western Australia, nine women were drafted to the Demons and two to the Bulldogs. The third draft pick overall was Swan Districts midfielder Chelsea Randall, who will don the Melbourne colours.