NEW SPORTING ERA FOR THE WRFL

The WRFL will run a senior women’s netball competition in 2018.

The exciting announcement coincides with the unveiling of a new partnership with Victoria University, with the competition to be known as the ‘Victoria University WRFL Netball Competition’.

The competition is set to run on Friday evenings at Victoria University Community Sports Stadium at Whitten Oval. The 12-week season will commence on April 20, with a finals series to follow.

The introduction of the open-age netball competition combined with the upcoming inaugural senior women’s football competition marks a significant milestone for the league and its member clubs in the development of greater sporting opportunities for women in the western suburbs.

WRFL CEO Matthew Duck said the league was intent on continuing to build and strengthen its brand in the Victorian sporting landscape.

“This partnership with VU and by extension this entrance into netball reinforces our marked intent to create sporting environments where everyone is welcome,” he said.

“Whilst we’ve traditionally associated netball with a country football model, there are countless examples in recent times of metro football clubs integrating netball extremely successfully.

“At the heart of this initiative is a desire to increase the number of people playing sport, but a spinoff benefit is that local footy clubs have another avenue available to them to build their respective membership bases, and to capitalise on all the potential opportunities that come with that.”

Already a number of WRFL clubs have flagged an interest in being involved in the inaugural netball season, including Braybrook, Caroline Springs, Glen Orden, Hoppers Crossing, Manor Lakes, North Footscray, Parkside, Point Cook, Spotswood, Sunshine and the Wyndham Suns.

To find a club close to you or to express your interest in joining a club today ahead of the 2018 season please CLICK HERE to complete the expression of interest form.