The signing of four more players to Fremantle’s women’s team and the announcement of two major sponsors is an important and exciting development for the club as it looks ahead to the inaugural season of the national women’s league.
Commonwealth Games gold medallist Kim Mickle joins priority signings Ebony Antonio and Kirby Bentley, along with fellow rookie Gabby O’Sullivan, on Fremantle’s list.
Coach Michelle Cowan said the announcement was an important step for the team.
“A really exciting day for us today as we add an extra four girls to our team,” she said.
“It’s been an exciting process and we look forward to building to October 12 when we take to the draft as well.”
Freo go for Mickle gold
Fremantle CEO Steve Rosich said the players were excited by the opportunity to be part of the inaugural season.
“You can see the excitement in their eyes and the charisma that they have and (they are) just proud to be associated with this competition. Congratulations to the AFL, there will be over 200 elite women athletes playing in the women’s league in season 2017,” he said.
Fremantle also announced major sponsors Woodside and Programmed have extended their relationship with the club by signing on as co-major sponsors of the women’s team.
Rosich said the announcement highlighted Fremantle’s commitment to the 2017 national league.
“This showcases the importance and excitement of the new women’s league for the first season in 2017 and showcases that this season, which is fast upon us, is eagerly anticipated,” he said.
Programmed and Woodside on board with Freo's women's team
Programmed managing director Chris Sutherland said the company, who have club major sponsors since 2009, where excited to extend their relationship with Fremantle and be at the forefront of driving gender equity in Western Australia.
“Programmed is sponsoring the Fremantle women’s team to promote a core message that women can and should look at work in IT, trades and engineering and many other occupation which are currently dominated by men,” he said.
“We’re very proud to be here today.”
Woodside became co-major sponsors with Programmed in 2010 and extended that partnership until 2018 two years ago.
Woodside senior vice-president, corporate and legal counsel Michael Abbott said the company was delighted to be sponsors of Fremantle’s women’s team.
“Diversity is key to us succeeding in business,” he said.
“We have 50-percent of our graduate intake every year are women and 28-percent of our workforce are women, which is double the average for our industry in the resources sector.
“For us, extending our partnership and being along with Programmed is fantastic.”
A dream come true
Cowan’s focus now shifts to the women’s draft in October where Fremantle will fill the remaining 21 spots on their roster.
“Now we get to the draft and we’re aware we have had thousands of women nominate for the draft already and they (nominations) close at the end of this month,” she said.
“We’ll go through that entire list to see who’s going to be the best fit for us but only having 27 spots on your team, we want to make sure we tick every single spot with being really vigilant with getting the right people on board.
“We’ll go through that draft process very thoroughly with our team here at Fremantle and make sure we get the right recruits.”
