Swans WAFLW Rooms Officially Open

The Swan Districts Football Club continues to set the bar across the WAFLW competition after the official opening of their dedicated women’s change rooms.

Without having to share the existing change rooms, or be worried about one of the male players accidently walking through, females of all ages are now able to feel comfortable while getting dressed before and after games, or when preparing for training.

Initially joining the WAWFL in 2007, the club have seen great success with their women’s teams, including being an inaugural member of last season’s WAFLW competition. Other highlights comprise:

• 4x League Premierships (2013, 2014, 2016 & 2017),
• 13 All Australian female footballers,
• 26x AFLW players, and
• Becoming a destination club for female footballers without WAFLW teams in their district.

The official ceremony opened with Swan Districts President, Peter Hodyl, addressing the crowd on the importance of the female competition to the club, and how the rooms can facilitate for more than just our own teams.

“Women’s football is a priority for our footy club” he said.

“Not only will these change rooms provide essential facilities for our own women’s teams, they are also available for use within out greater community, including a host of junior clubs within our district.”

Patrick Gorman MP, Member for Perth, and Honourable Ken Wyatt MP, Federal Member for Hasluck and Minister for Indigenous Australians, were recognised for their contributions to this great initiative, and given the invitation of cutting the ribbon.

“This is a very exciting thing for the club” Mr Gorman stated. “I know it’s been talked about for a long time and that the club fought really hard to get the funding to make it happen. They deserve a huge congratulations.

“No one ever says when they get a huge reward in sport that it’s because of the great change room facilities they had, but they know that all these little things add up to something more. They add up to everyone being able to feel valued, being part of the club and able to do what they do best out there on the field, which is winning and enjoying themselves.

“Speaking to some of the players as we were touring through their change rooms, you can see there is great pride in having this facility.

“At a time where there is a lot of uncertainty in the world, it says that this club, who has survived through world wars, the great depression and now through Covid, is here for the long term. It says ‘We are strong, and we are not going anywhere’ which is a really powerful message.

“Hats off also to the builders who have done it on a shoestring budget. To realise just how much you are able to build, and the great job that was done, all while watching the dollars and cents, I am really impressed.”

Round 1 of the WAFLW kick off this Saturday 18^th July, with our women’s league side taking on Peel Thunder at David Grays Arena, Mandurah from 12noon.