Football Initiative For First Nations and Multicultural Girls in WA

The Inaugural WA Football First Nations & Multicultural Girls Squad initiative has been hailed a success.

Held during October, the program aimed to support player pathways, celebrate the diversity of our football community, and provide young female players with an opportunity to develop, connect and represent their communities in a showcase match environment.

The opportunity was open to female players born in 2012 who currently play community football.

 The eligibility criteria were based on the AFL Next Generation Academy guidelines, with players eligible across the following categories:

Eligibility:

• First Nations – where a player identifies as First Nations
• African/Asian – where a parent is born in an African or Asian country
• South & Central America – where a parent is born in a Central or South American country
• Pasifika – where a parent is born in a Pacific Island country (excluding New Zealand and Hawaii)

The squad had two training sessions leading into a game between the squad members at McGillvray Oval in Mt Claremont on Sunday, October 24.

With coaching and support staff coming from our State Academy 18s Female Program, the Fremantle Dockers and West Perth Women’s Program, the buy-in from the football community was critical to the success of the day. 

“I hope that this is the beginning of something special,” said Jade Narkle, WA Football Aboriginal & Diversity Programs Specialist.

“It is an opportunity to build lasting connections, strengthen pathways and continue growing a football community where every girl feels she belongs.”

Former Dockers champion Michael Walters, who now works at WA Football as the Indigenous and Multicultural Relationship Manager within the Performance Pathways and Development Team, attended the match.

“It was such a well-run event,” Walters said.

“The girls were quick, displayed great skills and it was a pleasure to watch the next generation of female talent on display.”