Swans proud to support International Women’s Day

Marked annually on March 8th, International Women's Day has occurred for well over a century and is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women both locally and around the world.

With tremendous growth in female football, both on and off the field, the Swan Districts Football Club are proud to have great women playing crucial leadership roles throughout the club, not only for the future of women's football, but across the industry as a whole.

The club currently has two female leaders on the Board of Directors, Roanna Edwards and Jo Taylor, who follow on from the great foundation left by their predecessor, Sarah Reilly.

Other roles presently held by women throughout the Swan Districts Football Club include (but are not limited to); WAFLW Head of Strength & Conditioning, WAFLW Team Managers, Physiotherapists, Event & Promotions Executive, Administration & Events Assistant, Chaplain, Rogers Cup Head Coach, WAFLW League, Development & Rogers Cup Assistant Coaches, Onslow Early Years Program Manager, Onslow Early Years Liaison Officer, Onslow Youth Centre Co-ordinators, Community Engagement Trainee, Volunteers and more. The previous two General Managers of Community were also held by women.

With 29 AFLW draftees, a dedicated change room and a team that is ready to challenge for the flag in season 2021, the club also invests significantly in their match day activation at all WAFLW home games at Steel Blue Oval. This includes the Swans Play Zone, along with a host of other games and activities.

WAFLW League Coach, Adam Dancey, says that although the club has a focus on their female football program, outside support and sponsorship is crucial for its continued success and sustainability throughout WA.

“It’s exciting to see the opportunities arising for women and young females in sport, and the club is on the right path to keep it growing and developing into the future” he said.

“Swan Districts are in front of the rest of the competition in WA and have been supporting female football for a long time.

“Our female programs don’t need a lot of resources to move forward, however, to be able to reward our athletes and implement new initiatives, sponsorship is so important.

“I call on any women who work in positions of influence within their organisations to look into sponsoring their local female football programs, to help see their continued growth and development moving forward.”

It could be argued that no one has ever been more influential to the long term success of the Swan Districts Football Club than soon to be inducted Immortal, John Cooper. Understanding that he could not have achieved all that he did for the club alone, his first recognition of this new-found status goes directly to his wife.

‘There is no doubt that I share this honour with Beryl. She has supported me totally and I couldn’t have done it without her. That’s the truth’.

With a remarkable list of accolades associated with his name, there is still one honour that he cherishes above all others… ‘Marrying Beryl. I truly believe that’ he said.

Please join the Swan Districts Football Club in honouring the significant contributions made by women around the world this International Women’s Day.