Unstoppable Falcons: West Perth Football Club's Rogers Cup Team Dominates Once Again

Unstoppable Falcons: West Perth Football Club's Rogers Cup Team Dominates Once Again

The West Perth Football Club's Rogers Cup Team has once again proven to be a force to be reckoned with, securing their third grand final victory in four years. Even more remarkable, they have achieved back-to-back premierships with two consecutive undefeated seasons, amassing an impressive 34-game winning streak.

This unparalleled success is a testament to the dedication, talent, and hard work of everyone involved with the team. At the heart of this success is captain Hayley Bidefeld, who not only led her team to victory but also earned the prestigious Charmaine Rogers Fairest & Best award at Monday night's Awards Night.

Her outstanding performance on the field was further recognized as she was judged best afield by the umpires on the day of the grand final.

The West Perth Football Club's approach to the Rogers Cup program emphasizes player development over results. The primary goal is to help players become the best versions of themselves, fostering a deep connection with the club, understanding their roles, and cultivating a strong sense of camaraderie. This philosophy has undoubtedly contributed to the team's sustained success.

Despite challenging wet weather conditions, the team demonstrated their relentless spirit and ruthlessness with the ball. Their performance was nothing short of impressive, showcasing their resilience and determination to excel in every contest.

The day's events began at 9:30 am with a match featuring the Moora Citrus Female Football Academy (MCFFA) against the State School WA Girls 15s side, which included nine MCFFA members. The Academy's success is largely due to the efforts of its manager and Female Football Stalwart, Dave Burton, and the support from Damien Guthrey and his team at Moora Citrus, the club's foundation partner.

The West Perth Football Club's investment in grassroots academy programs has been instrumental in their Rogers Cup success. They proudly stand as the only club in Western Australia with such a robust and successful pathway for developing female footballers. This commitment to nurturing talent from the ground up has paid dividends, creating a pipeline of skilled players ready to shine on the big stage. Head of WAFLW Development, Luke Richardson, believes that the club is on the cusp of seeing sustained success reflected in the clubs’ WAFLW side: “Since taking my role with the club, our process has never waivered. We develop bottom-up. We back in our local talent and provide an environment for them to learn, connect and grow within the 4 walls of our football club. What we’re seeing at our Academy and Rogers Cup level – I’m confident we will be seeing more consistently with our WAFLW program. Our graduating players from Rogers to WAFLW will be ready to impact immediately because of our pathway.”

 Rogers Cup Coach Scott Kounis expressed his elation for the players, support staff, and the entire club: "They were ready to play. They prepared exceptionally well. They were all the more prepared because of our exceptional support staff-team with Hannah, Damon, Brett, and Fiona as coaches, Giorgia, Megan, and Ashton as S&C coaches, Brendan and his medical team(s) - Because of these people, our players were ready to perform and I thank them greatly for their efforts."

Midfield coach and Female Program sponsor Brett Foster, from Liberty Financial, has played a unique role as both a mentor and financial backer: "It's been a pleasure and privilege to see first-hand the amazing growth of this group - resulting in on and off-field successes. From players entering our Academy pathway, success of Rogers Cup, and our growth and development of our WAFLW side - It's just an exciting time to be a Falcon, isn't it? It's by far the best program in WA for women's football development."

The future looks incredibly bright for the West Perth Football Club's Rogers Cup Team. Their remarkable achievements are a reflection of the club's unwavering commitment to developing female football talent and fostering a supportive and empowering environment. As they continue to build on their success, there's no doubt that the Falcons will remain a dominant force in women's football for years to come with WAFLW flags on the horizon.