South Australian Women's Football League

The South Australian Women's Football League (SAWFL) is the governing body of the Women's Australian rules football Sport in the state of South Australia.

History

In 1990 a group of South Australian women instigated the preparation to establish the South Australian Women's Football League [SAWFL] after an exhibition match between the Victorian Women's Football League [VWFL] and some sporting identities in South Australia proved to be a huge success. The founder of the SAWFL, "Gina Dutschke" and with the assistance of "Jenny Williams" were then able to gather enough interest from sportswomen throughout the metropolitan region to form a league of their own in 1991.

Clubs that were instrumental in the early years the League were the Cougars, Thunderbirds, Hectorville, Brighton, Modbury, Para Hills, Kilburn, Edwardstown, Pooraka, Goodwood, North Adelaide, West Adelaide, McLaren Vale and Sturt. The League today, comprises again four clubs: Woodville West Torrens, Morphettville Park, Port Adelaide and Greenacres.

SAWFL is currently in collaboration with the SANFL's Affiliated Junior District Leagues with the planning of a Youth Girls competition and this is anticipated to commence in the 2008 season. Over 900 players have registered with SAWFL since 1991, and there is a new generation to come. Under the guidance of the President, "Georgi Iley", the League is now progressing forward in generating a player pathway for females of all ages in South Australia.

Significant milestones of League members whom have long represented SA at the National Women's AFL Championships are "Catherine Mulvihill" (224 games), "Tiffany Lee" (190 games), "Cheryl Wills" (165 games), "Nancy Tidswell" (139 games), "Cassie Hartley" (123 games), and "Linda Mounsey" (116 games).

Clubs

* Greenacres Dragons WFC [http://www.geocities.com/greenacredragons Official Site]
* Morphettville Park Kangaroos WFC [http://www.theroos.net Official Site]
* Port Adelaide Maggies WFC [http://www.pawfc.com.au Official Site]
* Woodville West Torrens Eagles WFC [http://www.eagleswomensfc.com Official Site]

Honours

Dutschke Medal (Best and Fairest)The Dutschke Medal is named after Gina Dutschke, the founder of the South Australian Women's Football League, back in 1990. The Medal is awarded to the best and fairest overall of the season as determined by the Umpires. This prestigious award is presented to the recipient at the end of season Presentation Dinner.

*2007 Jessica Openshaw (Eagles)
*2006 Sarah Masiero (Eagles)
*2005 Lauren Ebsary (Sturt)
*2004 Lauren Ebsary (Sturt)
*2003 Tiffany Lee (North Adelaide)
*2002 Sarah Masiero (Eagles)
*2001 Robyn Polhner
*2000 Tiffany Lee
*1999 Roslyn Kitschke
*1998 Roslyn Kitschke
*1997 Robyn Polhner
*1996 Robyn Polhner
*1995 Tiffany Lee
*1994 Tiffany Lee
*1993 Tiffany Lee
*1992 Tiffany Lee
*1991 L. Giaretto

Glazbrook Medal (Leading Goakicker)The Glazbrook Medal was named after Trudy Glazbrook, at the time was the leagues longest running highest goalkicker. The Medal is awarded to the player with the highest number of goals kicked throughout the competition.

*2007 Cheryl Wills and Kayla Pendleton
*2006 Sarah Masiero
*2005 Tiffany Lee
*2004 No Award Given
*2003 Fiona Clancy
*2002 Fiona Clancy
*2001 Tiffany Lee
*2000 Tiffany Lee
*1999 Melissa King
*1998 Trudy Glazbrook & Sara Dennis
*1997 Shelly Neller
*1996 Trudy Glazbrook
*1995 Trudy Glazbrook
*1994 Trudy Glazbrook
*1993 Trudy Glazbrook
*1992 Tiffany Lee
*1991 Tiffany Lee

Laube Medal {Player's Player)The Carmel Laube Medal was named in memory and honour of Carmel Laube, who played for Edwardstown, and represented the State Squad until ill health. We fondly remember her time and contribution to the League. This medal is awarded to the player's player - the most respected player amongst peers in the competition.

*2007 Linda Mounsey aka "Rowdy"
*2006 Sarah Masiero
*2005 Emma Sampson
*2005 Kelli Loehr
*2004 Zdravka Stepic
*2003 Kylie Tulloch
*2001 Catherine Mulvihill
*2000 Sheron Ford
*1999 Melissa King

Pitman Medal (Rookie of the Year)The Pitman Medal was named after Deb Pitman, a life member of SAWFL. This award is given to the Rookie of the Year. The highest number of votes for the first year player in SAWFL.

*2007 Jessica Openshaw (Eagles)
*2006 Sally Lynch (Greenacres)
*2005 Michele Reid (Greenacres)
*2004 Kris Britt (Sturt)
*2003 Kelli Loehr (Pt Adelaide)
*2002 Megan
*2001 Jayne Secker & Lee Fata
*2000 Rosa Zampogna
*1999 Jonti Gray
*1998 January Jackowiak
*1998 Lyn Liddle

Amos Clarke Medal (Junior Development Award)Sponsored by Murray Amos and Amanda Clarke, this award is presented to the highest ranked youngest player (18 or under) of the Dutschke Vote count.

*2007 Teena Leicester (Greenacres)
*2006 Megan Wilsdon (Eagles)
*2005 Hannah Johnson (Eagles)
*2004 Tess Baxter (Eagles) & Kristy Lavery (Pt Adelaide)
*2003 Tess Baxter
*2001 Balina Waldtke

All Australian Selection

South Australia are proud of their girls making the All Australian team which is selected from participants at the National Women's AFL Championships.

*2007 Jessica Openshaw
*2006 Michele Reid
*2005 Mary Ryan
*2004 Lauren Ebsary, Kris Britt and Sheron Ford
*2003 Mitzy Galic
*2002 Mitzy Galic
*2001 Mitzy Galic
*2000 Mitzy Galic

Premierships

*2007 Eagles
*2006 Eagles
*2005 Eagles
*2004 Sturt
*2003 Goodwood
*2002 Eagles
*2001 North Adelaide
*2000 North Adelaide
*1999 Edwardstown
*1998 Edwardstown
*1997 Edwardstown
*1996 Edwardstown
*1995 Hectorville
*1994 Hectorville
*1993 Edwardstown
*1992 CD Cougars
*1991 Thunderbirds

External links

* [http://www.sawfl.org.au/ SAWFL Official Site]