Female football launches Talent Academy and National Championship
26 Feb, 2009
West Australian female football is taking big steps forward in 2009.The WA Female Talent Academy and AFL Women’s National Championships, to be held in Perth in June, were officially launched yesterday, at Subiaco Oval.
Members of the WA football community, coaches, players and family gathered to celebrate the launch of the Talent Academy, the first of its kind in female football.
Developing female footballers’ playing skills and personal leadership attributes, through coaching and education is the Talent Academy’s aim. Formed in October 2008, the Talent Academy will ensure that WA’s women’s team is ready to take on the seven visiting States and Territories in the National Championships in June.
It will be the 17th Women’s National Championships, but this is the first time that the hosting Women’s League (WAWFL) will be collaborating with the State Development body (WAFC) to deliver the tournament.
On the first rainy afternoon Perth has seen in a few weeks, it was somehow poetic that the sun broke through onto Subiaco Oval as the Talent Academy participants started training.
Fifty-five participants, aged between 15 and 36, graced the oval in black and gold, something they will be hoping to repeat in the Grand Final on June 7. Subiaco Oval will host the Women’s National Championships finale as a curtain raiser to the West Coast v Geelong game.
Attendees at the launch heard from Jan Cooper, Female Football Development Manager of the WAFC/AFL, Terry Waldron, Minister for Sport and Recreation and Talent Academy Head Coach, Nicole Graves before having the chance to mingle with the Talent Academy squad.
Female participation is the fastest growing segment of AFL while the WAWFL is the fastest growing league in Australia, doubling in size since 2006. Listening to the thoughts of some Talent Academy members, the message is clear, when it comes to the National Championships, WA is in it to win it.
The Talent Academy will continue its preparations for the National Championships. In four months, ‘the best are heading West’, unless of course, they are already here?
For more information……ContactJan Cooper (Manager: Female Football Development) ?
? 93815599
