Fremantle hosted more than 400 guests at Crown Perth's Grand Ballroom on Friday for its annual Power of Women in Sport luncheon, held in partnership with Curtin University.
Executive General Manager of AFLW, Health and Football, Laura Kane, addressed the room and shared her recent findings on a trip to the United States where she explored the growing impact of women in sport. Kane also spoke about the future of the AFLW competition and her excitement for the season ahead.
There were several other guest speakers interviewed on stage by host Neroli Meadows, including Sera Naiqama, former Wallaroo and Western Force representative, Leticia McKenna from the Matildas, and para-triathlete Sally Pilbeam.
Fremantle captain Ange Stannett acknowledged other female leaders of sports across Western Australia who attended the Power of Women in Sport event, including Charli Wainwright from the Perth Glory, Lìne Malan from the Perth Thundersticks, and current Hockeyroos World Cup squad member, Sarah Byrnes.
Stannett said the Power of Women in Sport was a significant event that showcased the incredible women who have a huge impact, not only in the AFL, but in sport across all codes.
“Today’s really important, the Power of Women in Sport, it’s exciting to have different athletes from different sports be here as well, but also different leaders in industry coming to this event," Stannett said.
"It’s one our Club does really well, and I’m really proud to be involved with it.”
Fremantle’s AFLW leadership group also joined Stannett on stage to share some thoughts on their pre-season to date with a Round 1 clash against Port Adelaide at Cockburn ARC Oval next month on Sunday 16 August at 2:35pm.
Fremantle captain Ange Stannett said the Club's move to make Cockburn ARC Oval the team's home ground from 2026 sends a powerful message, one she hopes signals great things ahead for the playing group.
“We’ve loved our time at Freo Oval, but we are definitely excited to get into Cockburn and play on the oval we train on all the time," Stannett said.
"I think it’s a really positive thing that our Club has set a standard for women's sport and says we want our women to play on the best surface with the best facilities possible.
“We’re looking to rebound and get back to finals this year. We’ve been really clear in the off-season where we want to grow, where we want to build.
"We weren’t satisfied at the end of last season and that hunger really drove us through our pre-season and all already we’re starting to see through our pre-season games the result of the work we’ve done in the off-season.”
A current student at Curtin’s Business School, Stannett said she was proud of Fremantle’s partnership with the university that’s been in existence since before the inception of the AFLW to support events like the Power of Women in Sport.
Fremantle’s AFLW team play their only official pre-season practice match on Saturday 25 July against Richmond at East Fremantle Oval at 10:30am.
