Victor George Kailis Oval was buzzing on Tuesday night as the future of female football in WA came together with a crop of current Freo stars at the Fremantle conference female open day.

Around 100 junior members of East Fremantle and South Fremantle Football Club attended the clinic, hosted by Freo’s Nat Fyfe, David Mundy, Joel Hamling, Danyle Pearce, Lachie Weller, Tommy Sheridan, Nick Suban, Brady Grey and Cam McCarthy.

The activities ranged from skills based sessions to games that enhanced the fun side of playing football as a team sport. 

The clinic was run for girls 15 and under, however leading members of East and South Fremantle’s youth girls sides also attended to help run the clinics alongside the Fremantle players.

Sixteen-year-old Kate Inglis-Hodge, who captains the East Fremantle youth girls side, said the clinic was inspiring and a great learning experience.

“It’s just really great to have so many girls down from different ages,” Inglis-Hodge said.

“The talent they’re bringing is incredible, there’s so much hope for the future in women’s AFL after the inaugural season. Seeing the talent pathway working is incredible.”

While Inglis-Hodge had to pinch herself while running a clinic alongside some of her AFL idols, it was also motivating to have the opportunity to train on the same oval used by Freo’s AFLW side.

At 16, Inglis-Hodge is only two years away from being eligible for the AFLW draft.

“We’re all a bit fan-girling at the moment, including myself,” Inglis-Hodge said.

“Just having the opportunity to be on Freo’s new training ground with the Freo players is incredible. 

“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for many of them.”

At East Fremantle, Inglis-Hodge is already able to train alongside a number of Fremantle’s AFLW players, including Brianna Green, Mel Caulfield, Cassie Davidson, Gabby O’Sullivan, Belinda Smith and Alex Williams.

“Playing AFLW is definitely the aim, I just need to keep working hard,” Inglis –Hodge said.

“I always have a chat with Freo’s AFLW players at East Fremantle, especially Brianna Green down at training.

“Their advice is to take every opportunity that comes to you as you never know where it could take you. Always just listen to your coaches, as it builds that foundation to get you to the elite level. 

“It’s pretty incredible to see how the AFLW girls train and I get to pick up a few tips and tricks from them along the way.”

While spending the afternoon with the likes of Nat Fyfe and David Mundy would be exciting for any football fan, it was just the icing on the cake for Inglis-Hodge, whose passion for women’s football shone through as she looked around an oval teeming with young talented football players. 

“A couple of years ago you would never have imagined this to happen or to get this much interest in football from the girls,” Inglis-Hodge said.

“Being able to come out here and run drills with them and looking around at everyone, it’s incredible to see how much participation there is and how much interest there is in the women’s game as well.”