SWAN Districts have extended its stunning list of AFLW-listed players with five rising stars joining WA clubs next season.
Imahra Cameron (pick 19), Mim Strom (pick 21), Emma O’Driscoll (pick 51) and Bianca Webb (pick 85) were recruited in the 2019 AFLW Draft on October 21.
Cameron joins Swans teammate Mikayla Bowen at West Coast Eagles after Bowen pre-signed as the club’s first-ever player in January.
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READ NOWStrom, O’Driscoll and Webb will wear purple and white Guernseys for Fremantle.
Their drafting follows a host of other players and former players who have played at AFLW level including women’s coach and Fremantle captain Kara Antonio and partner Ebony, Chelsea Randall, Emily McGuire, Taylah McAuliffe, Alicia Janz, Rheanne Lugg, Ashleigh Brazill, Georgia Nanscawen and Kirby Bentley.
Swans chief executive Jeff Dennis said the club was excited at the “tremendous opportunity” for the players,” he said.
“The club’s purpose is to build community and develop people – to help our players be the best they can be.
“Having five players progress to the AFLW is validation of what we’re doing,” he said.
“We’re confident the training and development provided by the club and our senior women’s coach Kara Antonio will hold our drafted players in good stead for their future AFLW careers.”
Mr Dennis said the club always placed a “high value” on its female football program.
“We’ve raised the bar even higher since the start of the WAFLW last year,” he said.
“Women’s football is an important part of the club’s new Football Strategic Plan 2020-2024.
“Next season we’re building a new $200,000 women’s football changeroom at Steel Blue Oval and we’re increasing the resources available to our players including a sports scientist, physiotherapy services and individual player development plans.”
He said it was important Swans played an active role in increasing participation and providing talent pathways for girls.
WA Football Commission chief executive Gavin Taylor said the commission would continue supporting female football.
“Female football participation in WA has tripled in the last five years, seeing the ratio of female players at footy clubs increase from 1-in-33 to 1-in-10, which is a fantastic result,” he said.
“There’s also around 90,000 females pulling on a pair of football boots in Auskick and school-based competitions.”