Kim Mickle.
Camera IconKim Mickle. Credit: Supplied/Chris Hyde

Dockers recruit Olympian Kim Mickle to women’s team

Bryce LuffFremantle Gazette

JAVELIN star Kim Mickle has been rookie listed by the Fremantle Dockers ahead of the inaugural women’s league in 2017.

The 31-year-old Commonwealth gold medallist played football as a junior but went on to pursue other sports because avenues for young women to take it further were lacking.

“I’ve always wanted to play football but it wasn’t available back then. It’s cool that it has sprung up and become an elite sport,” Mickle said in a statement released by the Dockers.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

“I can’t wait to give it a go.”

Fremantle’s national women’s league, academies and community manager Wade Spilcker said signing Mickle was a big win for the club.

“Kim not only brings existing football skills with her but the desire and competitiveness of a professional athlete that will be of great benefit to the entire team,” he said.

Mickle, who is recovering from the dislocated shoulder she suffered at the Rio Olympics, will join fellow rookie Gabby O’Sullivan and priority picks Ebony Antonio and Kirby Bentley in the squad already featuring marquee players Kara Donellan and the injured Kiara Bowers.

The athletic Antonio is a dual WAWFL premiership player who also won a Women’s National Basketball League title in 2013.

Bentley, a utility, is an AIS netball scholarship holder.

The Kirby Bentley Cup, which offers aboriginal girls an opportunity to show their skills, is named after her.

O’Sullivan returned to Perth three months ago after studying science in the United States, where she had a basketball scholarship.

She was talked into playing by her father John O’Sullivan who played 133 games for East Fremantle.