THE development of women’s Australian rules football in the south-west has taken a step forward with an official senior league to be established in 2019.
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The league will be an open-age competition and will include up to seven teams.
Three clubs, South Warrnambool, Portland and Hamilton Kangaroos, have already committed to field teams.
The league will kick off in June and is expected to run for five to six weeks.
A series of women’s exhibition games were played between South Warrnambool, Portland, Horsham and Mount Gambier this year
South Warrnambool player Sarah Richards said the arrival of the league would provide a big boost to women’s football.
“This year we lost a few girls who started training but didn’t keep coming because we didn’t have anything to work towards,” Richards said.
“Now we have an official competition to play in we think our numbers will grow.
“The more numbers we get, the more drills we can do at training to help us improve and grow momentum.
“We had a casual training run recently and we had 20 turn up so everyone is keen.
“We have a pre-season fixture booked in against a team from Melbourne in February.”
AFL Western District regional general manager Kate Williamson is encouraging clubs to consider adding a female football component.
“The opportunity for more females to play football is great news for clubs, as well as providing a welcoming environment for women of all ages to play competitive sport.” Williamson said.
“The growth in participation has great benefits for local clubs, as well as the wider community.”
Clubs have until March 15 to confirm their interest in fielding a team in 2019.
The news of a senior competition comes on the back of the continued expansion of the junior girls league.
Terang Mortlake has confirmed it will field a junior team in 2019, lifting the number of competing teams from 10 to 11.
