The West Coast Eagles are conducting a talent search on Saturday, October 13 at Subiaco Oval to give female athletes currently participating in other sports an opportunity to test their football fitness and skills.
AFLW manager Adam Selwood said the club hoped to identify potential recruits who are not presently registered as Australian Rules football players.
“We want Australian football to be the sport of choice for female athletes and we know there are potentially many talented footballers who have backgrounds in other sports,” he said.
“We want to engage with these players and give them the chance to enhance their football skills while expanding our successful High Performance Female Academy in 2018. It’s also an opportunity to fast track player development through the WA Women’s Football League.”
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE WEST COAST EAGLES 2018 WOMEN'S 'ALTERNATE SPORT' TALENT SEARCH
West Coast Eagles Female Academy coordinator Jan Cooper said some of the AFLW’s brightest stars hailed from varied sports backgrounds.
“Players such as Lauren Pearce (Melbourne), Cora Staunton (GWS Giants) and Erin Phillips (Adelaide Crows) have all successfully made the transition from basketball or Gaelic football,” Cooper said.
“If we find more of them through the talent search the standard of our female pathway can only improve.”
Athletes identified during the search program will be offered places in the club’s 2019 High Performance Female Academy, female state academies (which support already identified players) and state league clubs.
Athletes will be tested in the 2km run, vertical jumps and 20 metre sprint.
Participants will get an opportunity to demonstrate skills including kicking, clean hands and hand balling, as well as their decision making, spatial awareness and game awareness.
Any enquiries should be directed to Jan Cooper at janc@westcoasteagles.com.au or 0427 011 439.
