10,000 people packed Fremantle Oval for the inaugural AFLW match in Perth in March. Could the same happen at Cockburn ARC in 2018?
Camera Icon10,000 people packed Fremantle Oval for the inaugural AFLW match in Perth in March. Could the same happen at Cockburn ARC in 2018? Credit: Supplied/Supplied

City of Cockburn open to ARC hosting AFLW matches in 2018

Bryce LuffCockburn Gazette

The timing of the AFLW competition – which ran from February to March – meant a match could not be held at the $109m aquatic and recreation centre in its inaugural year.

But Cockburn recreation and community safety manager Rob Avard said the City was interested in a fixture being held at the venue from next year.

“The City would be pleased to have a match (featuring the) Fremantle Women’s team at the Cockburn ARC site should the opportunity arise,” he said.

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“As per pre-season games and games at regional venues, additional temporary infrastructure would be required to host AFLW games at Cockburn.”

Fremantle’s men’s and women’s sides are based at the venue, which should open to the public in late May.

Former Dockers president Steve Harris mentioned when the women’s competition was announced in June that he was keen to see at least one game played at its training and administration base each season.

In a letter to the City of Cockburn late last year, the club confirmed it was “committed to playing games at the Cockburn ARC facility for 2018 and beyond”. A Dockers spokesman last week said any game at Cockburn Central would involve prior consultation between the AFL and the City of Cockburn.

Meanwhile, the City will wait until November before reviewing its sponsorship of the club.

Last November councillors agreed to offer the Dockers $25,000 to support its fledgling women’s side for one year after an approach to do so from the club.