Football West, in partnership with Perth Glory, have established a Female Club Ambassador Programme to assist in the development of female footballers.

The program, which is the first of its kind in Western Australia, will partner players in local clubs with WA-based Westfield W-League players with the aim of encouraging junior girls to stay in the game.

Through the program, Football West aims to encourage younger female players to engage with the W League and the A League community, by creating football pathways and positive role models for female players.

W league players will become actively involved with clubs throughout the 2017 season and will provide advice to players to increase their understanding of the development process.

Clubs will provide ball girls, mascots and half-time players for Perth Glory’s W-League and A-League home games and will be invited to participate in W and A-League activities over the coming season.

Football West Women’s Development Manager Sam Watkins believes the program is an exciting first step towards establishing the development of female footballers in WA.

“Football West is determined to provide pathways for young girls getting into the game,” she said. “Through this Club Ambassador Program we are hoping the links with the elite females will assist in showing the girls how they can have a serious football career.”