Footy pathway for girls

Footy pathway for girls

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Girls from Riverton Junior Football Club are keen to about the prospect of one day playing in the AFL. Photograph — Kelly Pilgrim-Byrne.

Riverton Junior Football Club girls are excited about the future of their sport after the Fremantle Dockers recently secured an AFL license for the first Perth-based women’s team in the 2017 season.

Riverton president Richard Brown said news of the women’s team had created another level for the girls to aspire to.

“It means that girls have another national sport option to consider alongside traditional sports like netball and hockey,” he said.

“Girls can join the junior grade competition at community clubs like Riverton JFC and now have a stronger pathway to a professional football career.”

Under 12s player Ruby Connolly thought it was awesome there was a WA women’s AFL team because she wants to play professionally.

“Having a girls AFL team means that it will encourage other girls to play,” she said.

“In a couple of years AFL will not be a male dominated sport.”

Danielle Jacoby said it meant if AFL football was her dream it could one day come true.
Anique Phillips said it was great.

“I hope it means we get to watch the girls play on TV and that one day I will have the opportunity to play with them,” she said.

Riverton is looking for girls interested in playing AFL in 2017 in their under 12 girls or under 15 girls junior grade.

The club was also interested in anyone suitable to assist with the development of the girl’s teams including coaches or team sponsors.