Girls' school program a first for WAFriday, August 8, 2014 - 10:14 AM

A specialist girls football program has been introduced at Darling Range Sports College in recognition of the significant growth in female football in Western Australia.

The Specialist Australian Rules Football Girls Program is the first of its kind in a WA school and provides a unique opportunity for talented young female athletes to combine academic success with sporting excellence.

AFL Manager Female Football Development Jan Cooper said it was exciting that the football community was embracing female participants at all levels.

“Providing the same opportunities for both genders is the most exciting component of this school course,” Cooper said.

“I congratulate Darling Range on this initiative and am looking forward to meeting the first female cohort in the course.”

Darling Range Sports College Head of Health, Physical Education and Sports Academy Programs Greg Maynard said the program would provide unique opportunities for students.

“Students enrolled in the AFL Program will have the opportunity to travel interstate to immerse themselves in the AFL Culture,” he said.

“Students will focus on developing their skills and fitness whilst working in line with Nationally Accredited Standards in a female friendly environment.

“They will also be involved in the DRSC Sports Science Program, which is an important part of the Sports Academy Programs and incorporates in depth study of nutrition for peak performance, sports medicine courses, sports psychology, rehabilitation and recovery, coaching and officiating.

“Graduates from the Sports Academy Programs are currently studying courses such as medicine, physiotherapy, sports science, engineering or using their TAFE Qualifications in sport to complete Personal Trainer courses,” he said.

Female football is the fastest growing segment of the game in WA. Since 2012, participation has quadrupled to more than 18,000 female participants.

A new Youth Girls competition was introduced last year to complete the pathway for female footballers from Auskick through to the WA Women’s Football League and WA now has female State teams from 16s Schoolgirls through to U18 Youth Girls and Open Women.

This year WA’s Youth Girls won the National Championships, becoming the first team ever to beat Victoria at any level of women’s football.