There were nerves and excitement as the Deadly Sista Girlz took to Optus Stadium for their curtain raiser on Sir Doug Nicholls Round but as the game settled into a flow, the joy of the players began to shine through.
The match highlighted the partnership between the Waalitj foundation and the West Coast Eagles, which was originally established in 2005.
The Deadly Sista Girlz program aims to install positive mindsets and build healthy relationships in school-aged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls.
The match was a showcase of the outcomes and work being done as part of the program, whilst also highlighting the continuous partnership between the West Coast Eagles and the Waalitj foundation.
Waalitj Foundation General Manager of Education Programs Carly Davis praised their continuing partnership with the West Coast Eagles which provided the opportunity for the girls within their Deadly Sista Girlz program to play on Optus Stadium.
“I think the partnership allows us to not only expose the girls to football pathways but also to draw on other cultural links through art and leadership activities,” she said.
“The game brought together 26 young women from 10 different schools, it was really great to see them all come together in teams they would never normally, there was great team spirit and an opportunity for each of them to build relationships with Deadly Sista Girlz from other schools.”
Davis said the chance for the girls to showcase their skills on a day as significant as Sir Doug Nichols Round was meaningful.
"Our Deadly Sista Girlz program is designed and delivered by First Nations women for First Nations women so to be able to showcase the girls we’ve got coming through the system was a fantastic opportunity.”
“I think to be able to be on the ground on that day in particular and be supported by the West Coast Eagles AFLW Players is something they will never forget.”
The West Coast Eagles are committed to the support of continuous work by the Waalitj Foundation to engage and empower with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through their programs across Australia.
