WA Football Commission

Nikki Harwood inducted as Life MemberWednesday, November 9, 2016 - 9:58 AM

The West Australian Women’s Football League is delighted to announce that Life Membership has been awarded to Nikki Harwood.

Nikki was inducted at the WAWFL 2016 Annual General Meeting held on Tuesday 8 November at the Department of Sport and Recreation office in Leederville.

Induction as a WAWFL Life Member is regarded as the WAWFL's highest level of recognition and is awarded to individuals that have rendered outstanding service to the League.

WAWFL President Carolyn Hills congratulated Nikki on receiving the honour of WAWFL Life Membership.

“It has been 14 years since our last Life Member was inducted, and we believe Nikki is a truly deserving recipient of this recognition.

“Nikki has given over a decade of her life to the betterment of the West Australian Women’s Football League and it is with great pleasure we induct her as Life Member” Carolyn said.

Starting her WA playing years in 2002, Nikki had a decorated playing career achieving some of female football’s highest levels of recognition along the way.

In WA, Nikki played at the Southern Thunder Football Club from 2002 – 2005, winning a premiership in 2003 as player coach, and embracing the role into the following season.

In 2006 Nikki played for Melville Women’s Football Club (now East Fremantle Women’s Football Club) until 2011, and again in 2015 until 2016. During her time there she was a Premiership player coach in 2007, 2009, and 2011. Nikki was League Coach in 2011 - 2012.

Nikki’s talent on the field should not be one to underestimate. Representing WA in the State Open’s competitions in 2006, 2007 (Vice Captain), 2009 (Captain) and 2011. She also won recognition as an All Australian Player in 2001 (for NSW), 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011 (Vice Captain). Further to her National achievements, Nikki was also named on the Half Back line in the WAWFL team of the decade (1998 – 2007).

Nikki’s passion for female football was well known, and in 2008 Nikki took on the role of President at Melville Women’s FC, a role she held until 2009. As President Nikki worked alongside key stakeholders in the East Fremantle Football Club to develop a relationship between clubs that saw Melville WFC affiliate with EFFC, which saw the inception of
the East Fremantle Women’s Football Club.  In 2014, Nikki was inducted into the EFWFC Hall of Fame.

While playing, Nikki joined the WAWFL Board as a general member in 2004 and was the Competitions Coordinator. In 2006 she took her Board Member position one better, taking on the role of WAWFL President in 2006 – 2007. In 2010 and 2012, Nikki was an Assistant Coach for the WA Under 18’s team and in 2012 and 2014 was named Indigenous All Stars Coach. In 2013 Nikki was an Assistant Coach for the WA Open Team and took on the role as Head Coach for the WA Talent Academy.

More recently Nikki was the Melbourne Football Club Assistant coach for inaugural AFL women’s exhibition match in 2013, and in 2014 became the Co-Head Coach of Western Bulldogs Football Club’s women’s team in 2014. Nikki has been recruited as Assistant Coach for Collingwood FC for inaugural National Women’s League in 2017.

With 15 years of service to the WAWFL and over 150 games as a player and many more as a coach, upholding WAWFL values and continuing to strive for greatness in female football, the WAWFL congratulates Nikki (Webbo) Harwood on achieving the WAWFL’s highest honour of Life Membership.