Cooper Claims Another Sporting Honour

Female football pioneer Jan Cooper OAM will be recognised for her contribution to the game at next month’s 2024 SportsWest Awards.

Cooper will be one of three recipients of the May Campbell Medal, an acknowledgement of her commitment to Australian Rules in WA and nationally.

Unable to play football growing up because competitions for females didn’t exist, Cooper turned her attention to working in administration.

Cooper was appointed Female Football Development Manager at the WA Football Commission.

She played a major role in establishing female competitions in metropolitan and regional areas of the state, was a significant contributor in setting the strategic direction of the sport for females and removed barriers for female football in WA and nationally.

In addition, Cooper developed the female talent pathway program in this state, which saw the emergence of the WA State 16s-18s programs and competitions.

Cooper also helped pave the way for the introduction of the AFLW competition in 2017.

Her involvement with the West Coast Eagles AFLW side earned Cooper the honour of being named the club’s number one ticketholder in 2021.

Last year, Cooper became the first woman to be inducted into the West Australian Football Hall of Fame.

Her work has inspired a generation of female players, coaches, umpires, and administrators.

The West Australian Football Commission congratulates Jan on her latest honour.

The ceremony will take place at HBF Stadium on February 29.