WA Football

THE best female footballers from around Australia will compete for national honours in Adelaide next week, with the 2011 Women’s National Championships being played from June 7 to 11.

WA head coach Nicole Graves, who is the first and only female Level 3 coach in Australia, said WA has named a strong side for the Championships with the aim of taking the next step in 2011 after being runners up for the last two Championships.

“I want nothing else but to win the Cup,” Graves said.

The Championships will also open AFL Women’s Week, which celebrates women’s contributions to football at all levels around Australia. Significant events will include an AFL Women’s Lunch in Melbourne, and You Kick Like Girl clinic in Adelaide, where the state captains and local AFL dignitaries will meet and share skills with participants.

Team WA

Stepping up: Sarah Noga was in her first Nationals of any age group in 2009. Now with one of every age group under her belt she is more experienced, skilled and stronger to lead Team WA’s forward line. An accurate kick for goal, Noga was the leading goal kicker in the U18s and is also a handy golfer on a 3 handicap.

Superstar: All Australian, twice Fairest and Best for the WAWFL and three time state player, it’s hard to believe that Chelsea Randall is only 20 years old. If she stays injury free spectators will gasp at her skills.

Last Hoorah: After six Nationals campaigns starting as a rep for NSW before shifting back to WA, Nikki Harwood’s body is starting to feel the pinch. With Youth Girls developing behind her “Webbo” is thinking about turning her attention to other options.

Next Big Thing: Mel Caulfield won the 2010 WA Women’s Football League Fairest and Best in only her second year of footy. She will impress with her scintillating speed.

In the Hot Seat: The first and only female Level 3 coach in Australia, Nicole Graves will not be happy until she has guided Team WA to victory over Victoria. If she doesn’t win the Cup it may be ‘Gravesy’s’ last Championship in the hot seat.

Following the pathway: One of the few players to have participated with the boys as a junior, Lauren Osborne hasn’t looked back since beginning to play in the women’s league. She was the Captain of the WA team that defeated the Victorian schoolgirls at the first invitational in 2009 and followed up as Captain of the first U18s Youth Girls state team.

Photo: WA’s Rikki Ryder, cousin of Patrick Ryder, with WA vice-captain Chelsea Randall and WA captain Martine Pearman.