Albany dominate women’s footy carnival

Albany returned undefeated from the Regional Women’s Football Carnival in Esperance last weekend.

Competing against teams from Esperance, Kalgoorlie and Kambalda, Albany’s team progressed to the grand final with three wins before edging out Kambalda in the decider by five points in a come-from-behind win.

After the successful inaugural Great Southern Women’s Football League this year, coach Claire Hard said the result showed the popularity and quality of women’s football in Albany continued to grow.

“It’s the first carnival Albany has been involved in so we are hoping to make it an annual thing,” she said.

“We only had 14 players and needed a few fill-ins, so the odds were against us.”

Hard said the four-team competition was a positive preparation for the new GSWFL season next year.

“It’s something that is only going to get bigger and better,” she said.

“It’s a good stepping stone for pre-season and it keeps the interest alive.”