Hosting the opening round of the AFL season wasn’t the only item the West Coast Eagles had on their football agenda on March 30. Over 200 invited guests attended the official Eagles Cup primary school football competition launch.

At a gala function held at Subiaco Oval prior to the first bounce of the AFL season between West Coast Eagles and St Kilda, West Eagles champion Chris Mainwaring and current players Brad Smith, Andrew McDougall and Matthew Spangher were on hand to officially launch the program for 2006.

Season 2006 represents the 11th year that the West Coast Eagles have supported the Eagles Cup competition in partnership with Australia Post and The West Australian. The Eagles Cup has developed to such an extent that it is now recognised as the cornerstone of the winter primary school sports program and is the highlight of the second term sporting program for Year 6 and 7 students and teachers alike.

The Primary Schools Football Advisory Council, in conjunction with
WA Football Development, co-ordinates the competition throughout the entire State. This working relationship has again demonstrated its value to primary school sport with its enthusiasm and support of the Eagles Cup. The tireless commitment of this group is unquestionable and their efforts are one of the major reasons for the ongoing growth of this successful program.

Clayton Anderson from WA Football Development said, “With the on-going challenges from rival sports it is encouraging that participants in the Eagles Cup are also making the transition from school football into community football. The continued growth in participating schools indicates the increased popularity both in the metropolitan and country regions. The Eagles Cup has truly established itself as the quintessential primary school competition in WA.”