East Freo vs East Perth & Claremont WAFL matches set for April 30 in Northampton as Shire starts works

Mark the date — April 30 is when the WAFL will be coming to Northampton. Chief executive Gary Keeffe said Northampton Shire had started refurbishing the oval for the centrepiece of a weekend of footy. “It’s proposed for April 30, that’s what we’re planning now,” Mr Keeffe said. “We’re undertaking work at the oval to make it WAFL compliant.” “It’s a great thing for our shire and the district. “It’s fabulous, we hardly ever get a WAFL game in rural areas. “To be able to pull this off is a credit to all the organising people involved.” The work included re-grassing the centre of the oval and taking out the cricket pitch, which would be replaced afterwards, he said. He said the hope was for a crowd of more than 1000 at the games. East Fremantle will play East Perth in a men’s game and Claremont in a WAFLW match. There will also be a GNFL game. West Australian Football Commission chief executive Michael Roberts said the aim was to support the game and the community. “We know how resilient Northampton residents have been over the past 12 months, and the town’s reputation for producing champion footballers over several decades is second to none,” he said. “Being part of East Fremantle’s zone, we believe bringing the games to Northampton will inspire the next generation of aspiring stars.” The WAFC is partnering with the AFL Rams Community Support Fund. Northampton local and former AFL player Andrew Lockyer, who founded the Rams, came up with the proposal. “The plan is to help lift the spirits of locals who are still doing it tough,” Lockyer said. “If we can take their minds off the challenges they face for a couple of days and raise some much-needed funds then we will have achieved our goals.” The weekend will include school clinics, talent squad training, a forum and coaching session, umpire education and Auskick matches over the two days, the WAFC said.