State U23 women to clash with QueenslandWednesday, June 15, 2016 - 2:10 PM

WESTERN Australia’s State U23 Women’s team departs this week for games against Queensland’s U23s on Friday night and Sunday morning.

The first game will be held at Yeronga Oval, South Brisbane at 6.30pm on Friday, June 17 and the second at 11am at Metricon Stadium on Sunday, June 19.

The team will be led by State Women’s Academy coach Martine Pearman, captain Courtney Ugle and a leadership group including Demi Okely, Tayla Bresland, Eliza Gelmi and Emily Bonser.

An official jumper presentation for team members was held at Swan Districts Football Club on Tuesday, June 14 and attended by WAFC Commissioners Cheryl Edwardes and Grant Dorrington, as well as AFL club representatives Wade Spilcker from Fremantle and Deane Pieters from West Coast.

WA Football Commission Female Talent Manager Alison Moore congratulated all of the players, coaches and support staff selected in the State U23 team and said it was a fantastic opportunity to represent their State.

“It is a great incentive for all of our participants and a highlight for everyone involved,” Ms Moore said.

“It’s been fantastic to see representative sides this year include State 15 Schoolgirls, State 18 Youth Girls, State Open Women, and now U23 women.

“Well done to 2016 U23 Coach Martine Pearman, the support staff and all of the players selected in this year’s squad.”

In 2015 WA had almsot 50,000 Female Participants (21.83% of WA Participation) and there was 23.5% overall growth in Female Football from the previous year.

There is now a complete pathway for female footballers from all-girls Auskick centres through to juniors, youth and women’s competitions, as well as opportunities for elite female players through the WA Talent Academies and programs such as the State U23s.

TEAM LIST

1. Rachel Ortplepp (Coastal Titans)

2. Tarni Golisano (Coastal Titans)

3. Tayla Bresland (Peel Thunderbirds)

4. Alex Williams (East Fremantle)

5. Cassie Davidson (East Fremantle)

6. Eliza Gelmi (Swan Districts)

7. Lauren Osborne (Swan Districts)

8. Susan Chuot (Swan Districts)

9. Georgia Perry (Peel Thunderbirds)

10. Emily Bonser (Swan Districts)

11. Demi Okley (Peel Thunderbirds)

12. Courtney Ugle (C) (Swan Districts)

13. Ashton Hill (Joondalup Falcons)

14. Claire Ortlepp (Coastal Titans)

15. Megan Boddington (Swan Districts)

16. Kira Phillips (Peel Thunderbirds)

17. Samara David (East Fremantle)

18. Asha Price (Swan Districts)

19. Milly Burns (Coastal Titans)

20. Ashley Sharp (Swan Districts)

21. Kahra Sprlyan (South Fremantle)

22. Belinda Smith (East Fremantle)

23. Caitlyn Edwards (East Fremantle)

24. Shannon Renee (Swan Districts)