Curtin University is well represented in the AFL’s Women’s League with four current students and an alumna playing in the Fremantle Dockers AFLW team, along with its sponsorship of the Fremantle Dockers’ Round 4 AFLW game.
Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry said the development of the women’s league was a defining moment for Australian football, and the University was delighted to be part of it.
“The establishment of the women’s league sends a powerful message that elite performance, both on and off the sporting field, is not restricted by gender, the same way as it should not be restricted by race, background or religion,” Professor Terry said.
“Curtin’s partnership with the Fremantle Dockers AFLW team aligns with our commitment to create valuable work placement opportunities, through the existing alliance agreement with the Fremantle Football Club, for our students across a broad range of study areas including multimedia, physiotherapy and dietetics, as well as opening up new research opportunities.”
Curtin students have already been given opportunities to complete ‘real-world’ work integrated learning placements with the Fremantle Dockers AFLW team, as part of the ongoing alliance agreement between the University and Fremantle Football Club, which was signed in 2015.
During the upcoming AFLW season, students will be involved in work placements with the women’s team in a variety of fields including social media, public relations, physiotherapy, exercise science and occupational therapy.
The four Curtin students in the Fremantle Dockers AFLW team are Hayley Miller, Belinda Smith, Brianna Green, Stephanie Cain, along with alumna Dana Hooker.
In addition Tarryn Dickerson, Curtin’s Elite Athletes Coordinator, has taken on a part-time role as the team’s Welfare Officer.
Ms Dickerson said her role would involve providing support to the players who are juggling their supporting commitments, work and study.
“It is an exciting opportunity to be involved in this inaugural squad and my role as a Welfare Officer allows me to help the players manage their busy schedules and ensure they are performing at their best on and off the field,” Ms Dickerson said.
The Fremantle Dockers women’s team will play the Adelaide Crows on Sunday 26 February at Fremantle Oval. The Curtin sponsored game is free to attend and event details can be found here.
