Beatrice Devlyn relishes prospect of playing in new national women’s football competition

SHE has been carving up at junior level for years but for the first time ever Beatrice Devlyn can see herself realising a lifelong dream.

The 18-year-old has claimed the WA Football Commission’s Youth Girls fairest and best award for the last three seasons.

The utility made her league debut for South Fremantle a couple of weeks ago and has represented her state a number of times, but she has always dreamt of more.

After last week’s announcement of a national women’s football league in 2017, the Jandakot resident has set her sights on being picked up by one of the competition’s eight teams.

“It’s pretty exciting,” she said of the possibility of playing in a national competition.

“When I was five I said I wanted to play AFL, but there was nowhere for me or others to go.

“Now there is.”

Devlyn said the chance to play matches at Cockburn’s new $109m recreation centre, as flagged by Fremantle Dockers president Steve Harris, was exciting.

“I’ve played at Collingwood’s training facility and that was incredible,” she said.

“(Cockburn’s facility) will be world class and a great place to play I’m sure.”