Bulldogs team enters WAFLW

The South Fremantle Football Club has been granted a license to compete in an expanded WAFL Women’s competition commencing on July 18.

The Bulldogs will join East Fremantle, Swan Districts, Subiaco, Claremont and Peel Thunder in the 2020 season.

SFFC General Manager of Football and Community and games record holder Marty Atkins was delighted to have the club enter the fold.

“It’s just fantastic news to be able to stand in front of the girls last week and let them know, they’re just stoked,” Atkins told Sports Drive on Monday.

“We were resigned to the fact that we had another year to set another good platform and prepare ourselves but when the opportunity comes, we’ve taken it. We are really looking forward to it.

“We’ve got the focus on the senior side but the hope is that we’ll also manage to get enough numbers for a reserves team which will be fantastic for the club.”

Atkins was particularly thankful to the WA Football Commission for granting the Bulldogs a league license for this season, after initial doubts surfaced surrounding the season due to COVID-19.

“The WAFC undertook a review after season one on whether to expand the competition after one season or stay with five teams, and that was basically what was decided initially,” he said.

“The platform was set last year with both our teams (Reserves and Rogers Cup) making Grand Finals. It showed our depth was there. The good thing is now we are in and we have to show we have the talent and the numbers.

“We’re pretty confident in our talent through the Rogers Cup and our youth teams. We’re pretty happy with that side of things. Now we just have to put out the best sides we can in the seniors and reserves and see how this season goes.”

It continues the spate of good news for the Bulldogs, with the club approaching 2000 members in it’s 120th season ahead of a blockbuster men’s season opener against East Fremantle at Fremantle Oval on July 18th.

Atkins implored fans to turn up in their droves to watch the fixture.

“We really do go back to what football is all about and the tradition. It will just be great to get back,” he said.

“You look at East Fremantle. I love to hate them. I’d hate to think this competition never has East Fremantle because that’s what I’ve been brought up on.”

“It promises to be a great day for WA football for people to come back and see the traditional derby.

“Hopefully, we can win game number ten in a row, and no doubt East Fremantle want to change that. What a great way to support your local WAFL clubs and hopefully everyone can get down there and enjoy it.”

The club is hopeful of a crowd of 10,000 for the match, with phase five of state COVID-19 restrictions set to be lifted on that date.

IMAGE: South Fremantle FC website.