Forrestdale Football Club’s first women’s team was hopeful it would compete in an organised premiership by 2018.
The Forrestdale Fillies have already competed in three carnivals against women’s football teams across Perth and Fillies player Kylie Waddell said the side was enthusiastic.
She said their commitment to the game was shown last Monday when the group turned up for training despite heavy downpour and sodden field.
“We’ve grown together as a team heaps,” she said.
“Before our first training session many in the team struggled with kicking straight and ball movement but now we’re completing full-field drills and kicking straight to targets.”
So far the women have only had the chance to play in organised carnivals or in exhibition matches but they burst off the blocks in their first two games defeating Cottesloe 2.1 (13) to 1.1 (7) before knocking Gosnells out 22 points to zero.
Since then victories have become hard to come by with their most recent game resulting in a loss to Curtin University Wesley by 27 points.
Ms Waddell said the team had the skill to regularly win but needed a bit more fitness.
“Once that picks up I think we’ll be hard to beat next year,” she said.
However despite the unofficial status of the competition support has not been lacking and fans have turned out at every game to cheer the sides on.
Ms Waddall said a major issue though with fielding a consistent side has been pre-existing commitments for new players such as university, work and other sports.
“We’ve had new players come in so it’s finding that balance to get everybody to train together, to get to know each other and learn each other’s strength and weaknesses,” she said.
“The club’s right behind us and coach Ash Newbey has been absolutely fantastic.”
Mr Newbey coached the male senior side until this season and said he jumped at the opportunity to help the ladies get up to scratch.
From six players at their first training session to 30 registered now, the team has progressed from a keen band of prospective players to an organised fighting force of female football fury.
“They’re very appreciative that they’re able to play football,” he said.
“Growing up watching men play on the television, they’ve been jumping out of their skin to have an opportunity to play.”
Despite the challenges of starting a new team and keeping enthusiasm high as they wait for a structured competition, the team has not lost its determination to compete in a league in 2018.
Ms Waddell said the squad would be ready when the first siren sounded no matter how long it took to get there.
“I get blown away seeing all the girls down here, getting together,” she said.
“All of us are hoping it will develop into something more serious.
“I can’t wait until next year.”
