South Australian Women's Football League


The South Australian Women's Football League is the governing body of women's Australian rules football in the state of South Australia. In 2017, the SAWFL merged with the South Australian Amateur Football League to form the Adelaide Footy League.

History

In 1990 a group of South Australian women instigated the preparation to establish the South Australian Women's Football League after an exhibition match between the Victorian Women's Football League 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 who have long represented SA at the National Women's AFL Championships are Catherine Mulvihill, Tiffany Lee, Cheryl Wills, Nancy Tidswell, Cassie Hartley, and Linda Mounsey.

Clubs

North & North East of the CBD

YearDivision 1Division 2Division 3Division 4Division 5U/18
2017Adelaide UniversityChristies BeachGazaAdelaide UniversityStrathalbynMorphettville Park
2016Morphettville ParkMount Barker---
2015Morphettville ParkAdelaide University---Salisbury
2014Morphettville ParkSalisbury---Morphettville Park
2013Greenacres----Port Adelaide
2012West Adelaide----Port Adelaide
2011Eagles-----
2010Eagles-----
2009Greenacres-----
2008Eagles-----
2007Eagles-----
2006Eagles-----
2005Eagles-----
2004Sturt-----
2003Goodwood-----
2002Eagles-----
2001North Adelaide-----
2000North Adelaide-----
1999Edwardstown-----
1998Edwardstown-----
1997Edwardstown-----
1996Edwardstown-----
1995Hectorville-----
1994Hectorville-----
1993Edwardstown-----
1992Central District Cougars-----
1991Thunderbirds-----

Honours

Division 1

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.
YearPlayerClub
1991Laura GiarettoSouthern CD Cougars
1992Tiffany LeeHectorville
1993Tiffany LeeHectorville
1994Tiffany Lee
1995Tiffany Lee
1996Robyn Polhner
1997Robyn Polhner
1998Ros KitschkeWest Adelaide
1999Ros KitschkeWest Adelaide
2000Tiffany LeeNorth Adelaide
2001Robyn PolhnerNorth Adelaide
2002Sarah MasieroEagles
2003Tiffany LeeNorth Adelaide
2004Lauren EbsarySturt
2005Lauren EbsarySturt
2006Sarah MasieroEagles
2007Jess OpenshawEagles
2008Michele ReidGreenacres
2009Cassandra HartleyEagles
2010Michele ReidGreenacres
2011Emma SampsonPort Adelaide
2012Cassandra HartleyWest Adelaide
2013Michele ReidGreenacres
2014Michele ReidGreenacres
2015Emma SampsonWest Adelaide
2016Chloe ScheerModbury
2017Rachelle MartinWest Adelaide
2018Brittany PerrySalisbury
2019Stephanie WalkerAdelaide University

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.
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.
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.
Sponsored by Murray Amos and Amanda Clarke, this award is presented to the highest ranked youngest player of the Dutschke Vote count.

Mulvihill Medal (Best and Fairest)

The Dutschke Medal is named after Catherine Mulvihill, a SAWFL Life Member and the first player in the South Australian Women's Football League to reach the 300 games milestone The Medal is awarded to the best and fairest overall of the season as determined by the Umpires.

U/18 Leading Goalkicker

SAWFL Club of the Year was introduced in 2011 to encourage increased professionalism within the League and its Affiliated Clubs. The introduction of the Club of the Year Award seeks to recognise the efforts of volunteers and officials that promote Women's Football and provide safe and sustainable Club environments.
South Australia are proud of their girls making the All Australian team which is selected from participants at the National Women's AFL Championships.