WAFC Female Talent AcademyWednesday, March 12, 2014 - 4:43 PM - by Alison Moore

The new WAFC Female Football Talent Academy was launched in late December, attended by nearly 150 players, parents, WAFC Executives, WAWFL Clubs and Board members.

The Academy program then began in early January 2014 for girls aged between 16-18 years, and women aged 19-24 years. All WAWFL Clubs, State Coaches and school teachers had input in the initial invite list.

So far nearly 80 girls and women have accepted their invitation to participate. A response the WAFC Female High Performance Manager, Alison Moore is thrilled with.

“The huge growth in Female Football in the last two years in WA has seen rapid improvement in female’s skill levels, an established Youth Girls pathway, the Butler Falcons – our first multicultural girls’ team and our first Indigenous Kickstart girls’ team," she said.

"Together with the first National win in the State 16’s against the Victoria team in Darwin, it will be a truly exciting future for our aspiring female WAWFL, State, and AFL draft players.

"Coaching staff haven’t been forgotten with opportunities to coach at important Eagles and Dockers Derby curtain raisers, specialist seminars, and AFL High Performance Academies. It was definitely the right time to begin the female Talent Academies and the girls are responding in droves.” 

The players have already been involved in their first fitness testing and kicking analysis conducted by the University of Notre Dame – a successful partnership now its second year.

The Talent Academy has also relied on the support of All Saints College in Bullcreek, which has become the premier female high performance training venue for female football in WA.

Top quality oval space, a double sized gymnasium and heated pool are outstanding facilities for the players to experience.

Brand new footballs have given the girls the opportunity to work on developing all aspects of their practical football skills, game play, tactics and strategies. Regular high performance testing along with kicking analysis will keep all players constantly improving their fitness levels as the 16-18yrs players push the more experienced 19-24yrs players.

Theoretical sessions on leadership, injury prevention and rehabilitation, media presence, nutrition, strength and conditioning, hydration, running techniques, physical presence and mental imagery will complete the monthly or fortnightly two hour time slots.

The players will also be required to play two display games and act as guest speakers and/or coaches for clinics and special presentations as ambassadors of the Talent program and helping to raise the profile of female football in WA.  

Perhaps the most exciting is the chance for all Talent Academy Players to play in two curtain raisers before the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers Derby clashes on May 5 and June 6 in 2014.

These games will showcase the best of the WA female talent, and hopefully earn the girls selection in the second AFL Draft game to be played on the MCG on the June 29, in the Western Bulldogs F.C. and Melbourne F.C. colours.

Congratulations to the following coaching staff who are leading each of the Talent Academies in this exciting new era of female football.

19-24yrs WAFC Female Talent Academy Staff

 16-18yrs WAFC Female Talent Academy Staff