EAST Perth is the latest side to step up into the West Australian Football League (WAFL) Women’s competition, to make it an eight-team league in 2023. In a landmark announcement by the West Australian Football Commission (WAFC), the Royals will become the second Perth team in as many years to join the top flight, with only Perth now missing from the women’s league.

The Royals follow on from most recent expansion sides West Perth (2022) and South Fremantle (2020), with the latter showing more promising signs this season. After not winning a game in the Bulldogs’ first two seasons, they cracked through in Round 1 against the Falcons, and were able to remain competitive throughout the season. The Falcons on the other hand went winless, but did give Subiaco a scare in a wet day at Leederville Oval.

The other major change to the WAFL Women’s pathway is the suspension of the Reserves competition, with a review to it to take place in two years time following the 2024 season. That decision came off the back of a majority vote from the WAFL clubs, to help hone in on the development of talent through the Rogers Cup competition. It means that the majority of top talented youth who could not previously crack into a League side, would instead remain at Rogers Cup level alongside their peers.

East Perth Director of Women’s Football Jo Davies said it was an exciting day in the club’s history, and one that would shape the future of women’s football for the Royals.

“This is a big day in the history of this proud Club,” Davies said via the club’s website. “Being able to provide our female players in both our metro and country districts a completed talent pathway is an important milestone.

“I would like to thank Scott Baker and his team at the WAFC for their collaboration throughout this process and I congratulate Jason Wittorff-Bloom, Angus Schumacher and Craig Matthews for their tireless work putting together our submission.”

WAFC Chief Executive Oficer Dean Turner said it was an exciting time across the league and one that would help to ensure the long-term future of the women’s state leagues in Western Australia.

“We are fortunate to have many wonderful women involved in football at all levels throughout our Club and Districts,” Turner said.

“It is our responsibility to provide all of them with the very best opportunities possible, as well as, facilitating their development for them to be able to achieve their potential. Today’s announcement strengthens this commitment.”