WA Football Commission
Season 2016: Swan DistrictsWednesday, September 28, 2016 - 1:14 PM
2016 has been of a year re-building and developing on what was a strong list from the previous season. With players retiring and new players coming through, it’s been a year of ensuring everyone understands the game style and Swannies way of football.
The Swans league side has had a very different look to it this season with long serving Head Coach Nicole Graves standing aside to take a larger role with the SDFC WAFL side and Rob Kennedy coming in and taking the reins. With new systems, structures and players the early part of the season was always going to be about learning and not so much about only winning. After the disappointment of losing in the Grand Final in 2015 there is no doubt that the girls want to go one step further this season and they are determined for nothing to get in their way. With key players Kirby Bentley doing a season ending injury, Kellie Gibson moving to Adelaide and Chelsea Randall only available for minimum games this season, its given other girls a chance to step up and feel the void. The girls have done what was set out to achieved by finishing in the top 2 and with captain Kara Donnellan leading the side out on the park we have all the confidence that the girls can achieve 2016 success.
It massive year for the development of Swan Districts Football Club and the place this development was most evident was in our Reserves. With 23 first year players at the club for season 2016 for the first part of the season there was a real focus on skills and game sense. The rapid development of some of these players was evident when they got the call up to play League Football throughout the season.
Unfortunately the season ended early for the group missing the finals by a mere 1.2% but as a club we couldn't be more proud of the fact that they put themselves into a position where finals were a real possibility. With the changing face of Female Football in our state the strength of this group gives us real confidence that our club will remain in a strong position in years to come.
It was another fantastic year for Youth Girl’s football. Our Swan Districts girls had the opportunity to get involved in the V Swans - Strength to Succeed program which ran over the preseason from October 2015. This gave our girls education on fitness, nutrition, leadership, goal setting and a number of other skills that will hold them in good stead over their football and everyday lives. Our numbers at training each Friday were up around 30, which meant competition and variation in skills and strategies. Having extra help from Senior players and coaches at the club meant we could focus on individual skill development and still work on structures, game play and team work. Our youth girls always feel part of the club, from being invited to presentations and senior trainings, to helping out a senior games and seniors helping them, the girls are awe-struck by the talent around them but know they are privileged to have some up and coming AFL greats as their mentors. The girls finished 4th in the home and away season and are looking to improve on their finals performances.
This year saw the first ever U15 junior girls competition which allowed some of our younger Youth Girls to play against girls similar in age. The team was coached by our very own Nicole Graves and had a record breaking undefeated season.
To wonderful volunteers, players, coaches, support staff, parents and our great supporter base we must save a massive thank you, you are the ones that continue to drive us to keep training, playing and picking ourselves up each week after a tough game and continue to fly the flag for female football and our football club.
To our major sponsors; Eden Fab, Swan Districts Sports Clinic and Whyteline Roofing we thank you for ensuring we can get this club on the field each week and ensuring financially we are strong so our players can get on with the job of playing football. To Ashworth’s Office Furniture, The Woodbridge Hotel, Slater Gartrell and the Swan Districts Football Club thanks for making sure our players are fed and watered after games and providing weekly awards.
CLUB OFFICALS
Head Coach Rob Kennedy
Senior Assistant Coach Ryan McLaren
Reserves Coach Jo Taylor
Assistant Coach Craig Quartermaine
Youth Girls Coach Leith Woods
Assistant Coaches Emily Bonser & Asha Price
Junior Girls Coach Nicole Graves
Women’s Team President Jo Taylor
Senior Team Manager Julie Harrison
Reserves Team Manager Nicole Ayres
Youth Girls & Junior Girls Team Manager Rachel Lawrence
