NINETY–NINE years ago when women’s Australian Rules Football was first played in Western Australia, the Cathedral Branch of the Mothers’ Union described it in a local paper as “unbecoming of women who lost the respect of men.”
But almost a century later, women’s football is being embraced by the community and the number of players is growing rapidly.
The first Bunbury league was established in 1921 and Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School are set to play an important part in the centenary celebrations next March.
The weekend of events will start with women’s football clinics on Saturday taught by the WA Women’s Football League elite squad.
WA Football Commission female football manager Alison Moore said the clinics would be a good chance to identify local talent.
“There is a lot of female talent on the football fields of WA and I would love to see the development of players in Bunbury,” Ms Moore said.
On Sunday the school will revive the Gary Johnston Memorial Cup when it hosts the Presbyterian Ladies College team.
Mr Johnston spent time as a sports teacher at both schools before he passed away.
This match will be followed by an exhibition game featuring players from the state women’s squad.
To cap it all off, there will be a satellite exhibition in the Tony Booker pavilion with memorabilia and stories from across the century.
Former journalist and researcher Brunette Lenkic has spent months investigating the history of women’s football in Australia.
Next year she will proudly unveil her exhibition Bounce Down! A Centenary of Women’s Australian Rules Football, 1915-2015 at the WA state library.
“This is a milestone that should not go unrecognised,” Ms Lenkic said.
“I approached the state library for space to create an exhibition and they were more than excited.
“We have some great things planned to put on display – watch this space.”
Keep reading the Bunbury Mail between now and next March for more about the history and future of women’s Australian Rules Football.
