WA represented in the 2023 Woomeras and Medleys programsFriday, June 30, 2023 - 9:08 AM

More than 75 of the country’s most promising 16-and-under girls footballers with Indigenous or multicultural backgrounds will come together on the Gold Coast next week. 

10 WA girls have been selected to feature in the 2023 Woomeras and Medleys programs. 

The Woomeras comprise Indigenous talent, while the Medleys is made up of players with a parent born outside of Australia. 

The WA talent featuring in the Woomeras squad include Kyra Abbott (Quinns Districts), Shakeeya Dempster (North Mandurah), Lloydessa Kwilla (Chittering), Rikisha Nannup (Wanneroo), Khesan Starr (Fremantle City) and Shaya Yarran (Kelmscott). 

The Medleys squad inc;lude the following WA players; Lunay Heever (Joondalup Kinross), Stephanie Massaboi, Avuya Nomlatyu (Willetton) and Fatoumata Toure (Bayswater). 

These players will join the Woomeras and Medleys squads and compete in a range of football activities as part of a three-day camp from Monday, July 3 to Wednesday, July 5. 

This will include training and recovery sessions, along with cultural and personal development activities. 

The Woomeras and Medleys squads will be split into two teams to compete in double-header matches on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Tuesday’s matches at Heritage Bank Stadium will be played at 2:40pm and 3:50pm, with Wednesday’s matches at Austworld Centre Oval to be played at 11:00am and 12:30pm.  

AFL National Diversity Talent Manager, Pauly Vandenbergh, said: “It’s fantastic to have the 2023 Woomeras and Medleys squads come together and we are very excited to work with all participants who have been selected. 

“Over the years we have seen how beneficial the Woomeras and Medleys programs have been for the participants who have featured in the programs. 

“Being involved in the Woomeras and Medleys squads is a significant part of each participant’s development and journey as young footballers and young women. 

"The main object of the programs is to provide a culturally safe environment for the players and staff involved to experience the standards and expectations of a talent pathway programs, enabling our young people to better transition and remain in the talent pathway system.” 

Former Fremantle and West Coast player Alicia Janz and Box Hill Hawks vice-captain Jordy Mifsud have been appointed head coaches of the Woomeras, with Cassie Davidson and Danica Pederson to serve as assistant coaches. Jason Williams will provide support as coaching mentor. 

The Medleys will be coached by Western Jets assistant coach Ali Hamad, with Burcu Alpozgen, Abbie Galea and Bianka Tsan also part of the coaching panel. 

The Woomeras and Medleys three-day program features as part of an action-packed week of talent pathways activities on the Gold Coast. 

How to watch: A live stream of the Woomeras and Medleys matches will be available here

Woomeras squad

Medleys squad