SUPPORT for the AFL Western District-Wimmera female football league is growing with four clubs added for the 2018 season.
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The competition will expand to 12 teams with the addition of Cobden, Port Fairy, Timboon Demons and Harrow-Balmoral.
They will join foundation clubs South Warrnambool, Warrnambool, Hamilton Kangaroos, Portland, Old Collegians, Horsham Demons, Horsham Saints and Stawell.
The Saints were the competition’s inaugural premier, defeating the Kangaroos in the grand final at Melville Oval.
South Warrnambool coach Alicia Drew said interest in female football was escalating.
“It is going to be a really exciting competition next year with the inclusion of 80 new female footballers,” she said.
“There is plenty of talent in our area, which means there is no issue for this expansion, so many girls just want to play football now.”
AFL Western District football development manager Jock Whiting said the league’s expansion reflected the sport’s popularity in regional areas.
“What was initially a fabulous concept to get female football growing in this area has now been really well supported by the exponential growth in the league, with the inclusion of four new teams to the competition,” he said.
The league also presented players with a chance to play at representative level.
A group was selected for the V/Line Cup as part of the Western Bulldogs Next Generation Academy Squad.
