West Coast Eagles will have strong representation on and off the field when Australia takes on Ireland in the 2026 NAB AFLW Australia v Ireland match at North Sydney Oval on Saturday, August 1.
AFLW senior coach Daisy Pearce has been appointed senior assistant coach of the Australian team, while Head of Women's Football Michelle Cowan has been selected as the General Manager for Australia.
Long-serving Eagles trainer Shannon Ward has also been selected as part of the Australian support staff, while club AFLW Head Physio Rebecca Yip will represent Ireland.
The selection of Cowan and Yip is a proud moment for the Eagles' AFLW program, with both having played important roles in the club since its inaugural AFLW season and now earning opportunities on the international stage.
Ward's appointment is an equally fitting recognition, with the respected trainer having been a valued member of the Eagles' AFLW program for the past five seasons.
The off-field appointments add to West Coast's presence in the Australian squad, with reigning Club Champion Ella Roberts and co-captain Charlie Thomas selected to represent their country in the historic clash.
For Cowan, the opportunity to be involved in the representative fixture is a reflection of the continued growth of women's football and the talent across the AFLW landscape.
"I’m incredibly excited to watch two outstanding teams compete and showcase their incredible talent,” Cowan said.
“It's a fantastic opportunity for everyone involved and a great celebration of our game.”
Pearce will support dual North Melbourne premiership coach Darren Crocker, who will lead a star-studded Australian side featuring some of the AFLW competition's biggest names.
The match marks the first AFLW representative fixture since the one-off contest between Victoria and the Allies in 2017 and is set to celebrate the strong connection between AFLW and Irish talent pathways.
Australia's 25-player squad includes Roberts and Thomas alongside premiership stars Emma Kearney, Jasmine Garner, Ash Riddell, Monique Conti, Kate Hore and Ebony Marinoff, as well as fellow Western Australians Mim Strom, Courtney Hodder and Zippy Fish.
The NAB AFLW Australia v Ireland match will start at 2.15pm WST on Saturday, August 1, and will be broadcast live nationally on Fox Footy, Kayo Sports, Kayo Freebies and Binge.
West Coast Eagles representatives – Australia v Ireland
Australia
- Daisy Pearce – Senior Assistant Coach
- Michelle Cowan – General Manager
- Shannon Ward – Trainer
- Ella Roberts – Player
- Charlie Thomas – Player
Ireland
- Rebecca Yip – Physiotherapist
