Preliminary finals are taking place this weekend for the female teams in the Perth Football League.  

Beginning in 2018 the league started with only 16 teams and two grades, they now have 38 teams across five grades.

The women’s version of the game in WA continues to benefit from the momentum of the AFLW which began in 2017.

PFL Football Operations Co-ordinator Ashlea Renshaw says women have flocked to the amateur version of the sport for the enjoyment of the game.

“They can go down to amateurs, it’s a bit more casual, a bit more fun,” she says.

“It’s less intense than WAFL Women’s and a bit more enjoyable.”

University Football Club president Dwayne Lake says football can help to instil self-belief in the girls that play the sport.

“They’re giving 110 per cent to be better, they’re standing up and saying if we are given these opportunities, not only in sport but in life, we will give it our all,” he says.

Ashlea Renshaw says the women in amateur football bring enthusiasm to clubs due to the lack of opportunities they have had in the past.

“These girls are dying to be in a football club.” she says.

“They’ve never played before, they want to be a part of it.”

Mr Lake also says the introduction of women was creating valuable lessons for young men at the club.  

“It’s important for young men to understand that doors shouldn’t be closed for women just because of their gender,” he says.

“It’s important for them to understand that women are equal in sport.”

Dwayne Lake says the more the game can develop, the more respect it will get.

“The more the women’s game develops, the more the respect will increase,” he says.