Saturday the 4th August saw the WA Women’s Football League host their 25th annual Awards Night at the Hilton Hotel. The night was enjoyed by many life members, special guests, players, coaches and sponsors. The 200 plus guests were a far cry from the initial 4 teams that began the competition 25 years ago.
Special congratulations should be reserved for Lauren Stammers winner of the WAWFL League Fairest and Best – the Dhara Kerr Award, an achievement the equivalent of winning the WAFL Sandover Medal.
The WAWFL together with the WAFC would like to congratulate the following players on their outstanding achievements in the 2012 season;
• 'Dhara Kerr' League Fairest and Best - Lauren Stammers (Coastal Titans)
• 'Joanne Huggins' League Leading Goal Kicker - Kiara Bowers (Coastal Titans)
• 'Cath Boyce' Rookie of the Year – Ashleigh Brazill (East Fremantle)
• Reserves Fairest and Best- Chloe Colegate (Claremont Piranhas)
• Reserves Leading Goal Kicker - Julie Nichols (East Fremantle)
• Rising Star - Rakita Bennell (Peel Thunder), Kelly Jarden (Swan Districts) and Caitlin Coyles (East Fremantle)
• 'Lynette Geaney' Volunteer of the Year Award - Sarah Michell (Coastal Titans)
Nailbiting finishes in both League and Reserves medal counts along with a 3 way tie for the Rising Star Award ensure that Women’s Football is emerging in excellent shape for the future.
The biannual ‘Yorga’s Koodjal Kadadjiny’ match, which means Women’s Two Way Learning Match was played during Naidoc week to celebrate indigenous Australian women’s love of playing football and promote reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous players. The match also paid tribute to Sharon Woods and Elizabeth Kickett, who were significant contributors to the WAWFL during its formative years.
Elizabeth Kickett has since passed away from cancer and in her memory; the WAWFL raised awareness of breast cancer – the most common cancer experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-indigenous women alike. Presentations of the specially designed jumpers by Peter Farmer were presented to 2012 sponsor Kooya Consultancy, medal honoree Sharon Woods and a representative for the Kickett family in recognition of Elizabeth Kickett.
2012 was an interesting year with League re-forming into a two tier structure and developing closer partnerships with the WAFL clubs. Jo Huggins the original founder of the WAWFL again initiated a new component by coordinating the inaugural Veterans and Celebrities match – for all those old girls still dying to play! The WAFC is working extremely hard to complete the player pathway and hopes to have the Youth Girls competition as the 3rd and final tier established and running in 2013.
A special congratulations and recognition must be made of Claremont Piranhas who are also celebrating their 25th anniversary as they were one of those original WAWFL teams. A highly professional night, documenting the 25 years was arranged by the WA Women’s Football League Board.
Newly appointed State Open Women’s Coach Neil Mildenhall also named 46 players that will compete for a position to represent WA at the Women’s Nationals competition in QLD in 2013. Congratulations to all selected officials and players outlined below;
Officials
Head Coach - Neil Mildenhall
Senior Assistant Coach – Nicole Graves
Assistant Coach – Nikki Harwood
Assistant Coach – Sarah Michell
Strength and Conditioning – Martine Pearman
Fitness and Physical Presence – Dr Les Fabre
Team Manager – Janet Seth
Players
Coastal Titans – Taylah Angel, Nicole Bolton, Kiara Bowers, Cara Deards, Renee Forth, Dana Hooker, Ashleigh Kenny, Ellain Lambkin, Sarah Noga, Ashlea Renshaw, Kelly Player, Lauren Stammers, Aimee Schmidt, Jodie White, Brooke Whyte
East Fremantle – Ashlee Atkins, Tara Avery, Kirby Bentley, Ashleigh Brazill, Melissa Caulfield, Caitlyn Edwards, Brianna Green, Tiah Haynes, Sharni-Leigh Kittow, Philipa Seth, Stephanie Walding, Alex Williams
Swan Districts – Deja-Anne Clanton, Simone Cornwall, Kellie-Marie Gibson, Louise Knitter, Rheanne Lugg, Shelley Matcham, Lauren Osborne, Chelsea Randall
Peel – Tayla Bresland, Chelsea Gogan, Emma Swanson, Chloe Taylor, Sabrina Traub-Frederick
South Fremantle – Ebony Humble, Samantha Shepherd
Joondalup - Kelly Clinch, Hayley Miller
SNESA – Bronwyn Hanson
Claremont – Chloe Colegate
Country – Kira Phillips
Photo: Lauren Stammers (Coastal Titans) the 2012 'Dhara Kerr' League Fairest and Best.
Last Modified on 15/08/2012 18:03