Women’s player points system endorsed to improve competition parity

A desire for all clubs in the SWFL women’s competition to be genuinely competitive appears to be a step closer, following the implementation of a player points system. Since the competition’s inaugural season back in 2017, a handful of clubs — in particular Bunbury, South Bunbury and the Harvey Bulls — have enjoyed sustained success, with several headline players returning for duty or signing following their WAFLW commitments. But some clubs have not been so lucky. The Eaton Boomers, Carey Park and Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault have been on the end of several challenging seasons result-wise, while the Collie Eagles have spent the last two seasons in the wilderness due to insufficient player numbers. However, on the back of hard work by the SWFL women’s football sub-committee, a level playing field may not be too far away. “The plan (player points system) for this year will start to address equalisation,” Carey Park delegate Kevin Lynn during last Thursday’s monthly league council meeting. “I think you are all aware that there is a top group of clubs and a bottom group who are a long way from playing finals. “And secondly, and just as important, was competition sustainability. We need to start to develop a system which will provide some sustainability for the clubs who are struggling, which can be done through the way we manage it. “There is no doubt in the first year it will not achieve all of those things, but it is the intention to start the ball rolling. I imagine the sub-committee will meet for an annual review in a bid to look at what more we can do. “I would urge you to vote for it because it is step one on the way to getting women’s football on a better keel than it has been over the past couple of years.” SWFL treasurer David Wedderburn and Bunbury delegate Bob Hislop agreed with Lynn’s sentiments and hoped it was a method which could ensure more women remain in football. “We are certainly aware Bob that the points were looked at last year,” Wedderburn said. “I think this points system being suggested is not going to bite hard in the first year — and that is not really the intention, as it is a gradual process.”