Welcome to what promises to be another great year for AFL in WA schools.

In the past five years, participation in AFL school competitions and programs has increased by 26,210 participants or a massive 60%!

The WAFC Education Team thanks all our great AFL School Ambassadors for their support and looks forward to working with you in 2012 to continue to enhance the literacy, numeracy, physical education and health skills of our students.

Grab a group of friends together and join in the new and exciting game for everyone that is sweeping the nation, AFL 9s!

AFL 9’s is footy with modified rules to ensure that people of all abilities can enjoy the game.

The games are 2 x 20 minute halves, the field is smaller with 3 playing zones (forwards, midfield and backs), only 9 players per team on the field at once, the football is smaller and lighter and the game is non contact.

Grab a group of friends together and join in the new and exciting game for everyone that is sweeping the nation, AFL 9s!

AFL 9’s is footy with modified rules to ensure that people of all abilities can enjoy the game.

The games are 2 x 20 minute halves, the field is smaller with 3 playing zones (forwards, midfield and backs), only 9 players per team on the field at once, the football is smaller and lighter and the game is non contact.

THE West Australian Football Commission has appointed coaches to the WA Women’s State 18s squad for the 2012 Youth Girls National 18s Championships in Adelaide in May.

The appointments include:

Another seven country West Australians were selected in the AFL Rookie Draft, led by former Goldfields footballer and reigning Subiaco FC fairest and best Kyal Horsley.

Five of the boys join AFL clubs for the very first time with Simon Tunbridge (West Coast) and Brad Dick (West Coast) given another opportunity.

Horsley, pictured, is a mature player who was taken at number two by Gold Coast and should have an immediate impact at AFL level, following several great seasons of WAFL footy.

Youngsters Haiden Schloithe (Fremantle), Callum Papertalk (West Coast) and Marley Williams (Collingwood) will get their first opportunity in the AFL system.

Four WA country boys were selected at the 2011 NAB AFL draft. This continues the recent outstanding results for the country players in the draft.

Three of the boys will get their first taste of AFL action, whilst Beau Wilkes will return to the AFL following an outstanding year in the WAFL.

This will add to the 73 boys from country WA that were on AFL lists in 2011.

The West Australian Country Football League recently released a discussion paper on a player remuneration and a proposed points system in a bid to assist Clubs.

After extensive research, new Football Operations Manager, Joe Georgiades said “the key points behind the document are to encourage discussion amongst leagues and clubs to ensure clubs continue to foster development pathways and do no place themselves at financial risk”.

The West Australian Football Commission is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified applicants for the WA Women's State 18s team.

This includes a Head Coach, two Assistant Coaches and a Manager. These key roles within the WA player talent pathway play an integral role in identifying and developing the state’s most talented young footballers, culminating with participation in the AFL 18’s Championships.

To be considered for this high profile role, you will need significant and successful experience developing youth aged players with excellent communication and leadership skills.

Suitable applicants will possess;

She may have the football nickname ‘Bulldog’, but Rachel Paterson is far smarter. She has just become the Rhodes Scholar for 2012.

A member of the Claremont Pirhanas Women’s Football Club, she has played 66 games in the Western Australian Women’s Football League since 2007. Paterson joins an elite and varied group of academics and sportspeople to earn this prestigious study honour.

On the list are few women and only one other listed as having played AFL.

See below for 2011 results.