WA players enjoy AFL Academy experience

WA women received the chance to be part of the AFL High Performance Academy program in Melbourne recently.

U16 players Sabrina Traub (Peel Thunder), Ashley Sharpe (Swan Districts) and Kristen Jayasuria (Joondalup Falcons) were invited to join 17 other girls from across Australia to the live-in camp that included an intense week of physical activity and guest coaching sessions led by AFL clubs.

WA State Open Women’s Assistant Coach Martine Pearman and State U18 Head Coach Michelle Cowan also attended the camp as mentors and attended seminars on tactics and strategies, and received feedback from current AFL Coaches.

The players also participated in drills, fitness testing, strength and conditioning activities, and seminars on fitness, diet, tactics and strategies. Physical tests included a 50m sprint, beep test, vertical jump, sit and reach, height and weight measurements and a 3km time trial.

WAFC Female Football Manager Alison Moore said the High Performance Academy also allowed the coaches to begin their own journey towards achieving Level 3 coaching accreditation.

“It was certainly an opportunity of a lifetime and I’m sure the players and the coaches are grateful for this wonderful chance to follow their football dreams, as either a coach or a player, courtesy of the AFL Female Football program,” Moore said.

At the conclusion of the camp, WA players Sabrina Traub and Ashley Sharp were both named in a 12-a-side team to compete in New Zealand in October, 2013 and Michelle Cowan was appointed to the coaching staff.

“Congratulations to both of the girls and to Michelle,” Moore said.

Picture: The WA contingent including coach Michelle Cowan, Sabrina Traub, Ashley Sharpe, Kristen Jayasuria and coach Martine Pearman at Visy Park.