Historic Captaincy Appointment for New WAFLW Club

East Perth’s inaugural season in the WAFLW will be historic for the new eight team competition and the club’s first captain Jessica Valvasori.

The appointment of Valvasori was unanimous in a sign of how highly regarded she is within the group.

“Honestly, I was incredibly surprised and humbled to be chosen to lead our inaugural team.

When I moved to East Perth, I had been intending to play out my football days offering on-field leadership and a strong work ethic in terms of how I conduct and apply myself at training.

I had always intended to lead in this way, but I was never anticipating stepping into anything more formal.

The vote to be Captain has challenged me to reassess the extent of what my influence at the Club can be and what my experience can provide to this playing group.

I believe strong leadership qualities come naturally to me and I’m excited to share these at East Perth, especially as we emerge as a new group and an unknown force in the WAFLW.  

To have unanimous support and belief from the players and coaching staff fills me with a great sense of pride and responsibility,” she said.  

The exercise physiologist has a passion to take her team on a journey.

“I hope to be a Captain that can infuse unlimited self-belief in the playing group, both as individuals and as a playing unit.

Starting as a new team we’re going to face challenges but also incredible opportunities.

My job will be to support the players through this process.

All I ask of myself as a Captain is that I move the group forward together into an incredibly competitive environment, while not compromising the joy of what football means to each player.

Keeping the group emotionally safe, impassioned and connected is my primary focus in this leadership role,” Valvasori said. 

The build up to the season has been one of growth for the young Royals.

“Each week moves us from strength to strength as a playing unit.

The pre-Christmas to post-Christmas training block has seen an emergence of player personalities and characters come to life, adding flare and fun at training sessions.

I can also say with all honesty there is no ego amongst the playing group and this has allowed each player to naturally excel and emerge as themselves.”  

But having seen the first-year struggles of West Perth and South Fremantle, this group goes into 2023 eyes wide open.

“Of course, each week will be tough and we’re going to face some tough score lines and front up against some very experienced competition.

But this is also one of the most exciting parts of this year for our club.

We are part of a new and will be a part of history.

That’s an incredibly rare privilege, so I am less concerned by the question of “will we experience some tough times?” and more driven by the idea of “how we respond.” 

East Perth plays its opening game of the WAFLW season against West Perth at Leederville Oval on Saturday March 11.