Women’s football gathering more momentum

North Albany women’s coach Wayne Turner believes the Great Southern Women’s Football League will grow in the second season, which starts tomorrow night at Tigerland.

The same four clubs as in the inaugural season will take part, with the Kangas starting GSWFL02 as the defending premiers, up against Royals, Railways and Albany.

First season crowds and participation rates were so promising more games have been added.

Teams will now play each other twice in the home-and-away season before semifinals and a grand final and Turner, who is in charge of the Kangas for a second year, said it was terrific women could now have a pathway to professional football.

“This is the most exciting thing to happen to football down here in the last 10 years,” he said.

“We’ve got girls at totally opposite ends of the scale, from ones who walk off the street to play to those who have been playing for five years.

“But they are all equally passionate about this new and exciting game.

“To have that pathway now, girls can see they can progress to play for Claremont or the AFLW if they want.”

Games are run back-to-back on Friday nights at the same ground, maximising exposure.

The Kangas won the 2018 grand final against the Lions by five points and they begin the new campaign against the Tigers tomorrow. Turner said his side were ready for the challenge.

“We’ve had a lot of girls go off to uni,” he said. “We only have half the side we had last year but our girls are looking forward to the challenge ahead, especially being a slightly longer season.”

The Tigers and Kangas open round 1 at 5.45pm before the Lions and Sharks do battle at 7pm.