WA schoolgirls claim record winMonday, July 27, 2009 - 7:19 AM

Western Australia’s State Schoolgirls claimed WA’s first ever female football victory over Victoria when they won the opening game of the inaugural Interstate Secondary Schoolgirls Championship on the weekend.

Played at the Maroochydore Dual Sports Complex in Queensland, the game was the first ever Schoolgirls clash between WA and Victoria and provided a chance for WA to claim some revenge after their senior championship loss to Victoria earlier this year.

The score was even at half time as the two teams threw everything into the contest but WA gained the ascendancy in the third quarter with strong performances from Lauren Osborne, who received some special attention from the Vics, and Grace Dempster, who handed out plenty of special attention to the Vics.

Alex Williams was dominant in defence and Megan Boddington sensational in the ruck as WA ran the game out strongly for a final result of 6.4 (40) to 2.4 (16)

The WA team also defeated host side Queensland with another strong performance at the championships, breaking away after a tight start to the game to win 5.9 (39) to 2.2 (14).  

Lauren Osborne was again outstanding, while Emily Johnston, Tiah Haynes, Jaime Hearle and Tayla Duff were also among WA’s best players.

Schoolgirls are playing alongside their 15s State Schoolboys counterparts for the first time at the competition, which includes teams from WA, Victoria and Queensland with participants being 16 years of age and under.

An initiative instigated by the AFL’s National Female Football Advisory Committee in partnership with School Sport Australia, the event kicks off today (July 24) and finishes on Wednesday next week.

Secondary Schoolgirls Championship results can be viewed at:
-    Queensland School Sport Website at www.schoolsport.qld.edu.au
-    SSA website at http://www.schoolsport.edu.au/

WA State Schoolgirls Squad

No., First name, Family name, School, District

20, Megan, Boddington, Governor Stirling SHS, Swans

11, Monique, Briard, John Septimus Roe ACS, East Perth

9, Shanelle , Carn, Manea Senior College, East Perth/Peel/Swans

15, Jenna, Cooper, Willetton SHS, East Fremantle

13, Grace, Dempster, PLC, Claremont

7, Caitlyn, Dimer, Wanneroo SHS, Subiaco

6, Carly, Dimer, Wanneroo SHS, Subiaco

2, Tayla, Duff, Swan View SHS, Swans

3, Chantel, Dyball, Kolbe Catholic College, Peel

10, Tiah, Haynes, Willetton SHS, East Fremantle

22, Jaime, Hearle, St Stephen’s Carramar, West Perth

17, Emily, Johnston, St Mary’s AGS, Claremont

19, Emma, King, Peter Moyes ACS, West Perth

21, Levi, McCulloch, Mandurah Senior College, Peel

5, Ebony, Mills, Katanning SHS, South Fremantle

14, Lauren, Osborne, John Forrest SHS, East Perth

12, Philipa, Seth, All Saints College, East Fremantle

8, Belinda, Smith, St Mary’s AGS, Claremont

16, Anastasia, Vlahos, John Septimus Roe ACS, East Perth

18, Alexandra, Williams, Willetton SHS, East Fremantle

1, Rhonda, Williams, Swan View SHS, Swans

4, Emily, Watson, Morley SHS, East Perth

Coach:                  Oliver Beath (All Saints College)

Manager:            Bronwyn Wright (Mandurah Senior College)

Tour Leader:      Geoff Hayes (Mandurah Senior College)

Head Trainer:    Louise McKenry (South Fremantle FC)