Primary School Teacher Named Peel’s New on Field Leader

Dual WAFLW Premiership player Ebony Dowson will lead Peel Thunder into a new era.

Dowson has been appointed captain for the 2023 season, a role she’s embracing.

“I was really excited when offered the position.

I’ve worked hard to be myself and a role model, so this is rewarding to be recognised by my teammates.

I want to be someone that everyone on the team and in the stands watching can look up to.

Working hard on and off the field is a quality I hope I can pass on to young players coming through.

My aim is to be approachable and supportive while pushing the players to be the best versions of themselves,” Dowson said.

A Year 5 teacher at Serpentine Primary School, Dowson has paid tribute to the work of previous skipper Cassie Davidson, who left the club to live and work in Broome.

“Cassie has been a great leader for myself and the girls for the past couple of years.

She’s led this club into finals while being humble and supportive of everyone and I hope I can do likewise.

Krystal Carter has also been a great leader and I think we’ll work really well together in the leadership group.

I think we’ve got a great bunch in the leadership team.”

Dowson, who’s affectionately known as “Chippy”, says despite a significant player turnover there’s reason to be optimistic.

“We have a lot of new faces at the club who have a lot of potential and are working hard to play WAFLW.

We’re always going to push to play finals but we also want to develop our club and take our team on a journey.”

Premiership success remains on the radar for a club which has been a WAFLW trendsetter.

“Of course we all want another flag, but we won’t put that sort of pressure on ourselves.

We know what the goal is but we’ll take each game on as it comes.

We have a great group of people around us, players, families, Peel staff and supporters and we’ll take the season on together.

Bring on 2023!”, she said.