WAFL history in the making when East Fremantle and East Perth vie for Seroja Cup in Northampton on April 30

A WAFL fixture in Northampton — the centrepiece for the town’s “festival of footy” next Saturday — is a “watershed moment” for the East Fremantle Football Club, according to the Sharks’ president. Four matches — WAFL, GNFL, WALFW and GNFLW — will be played at Northampton Oval in a bid to raise spirits and funds for a town still recovering from cyclone Seroja 12 months ago. The winners of the main event on the day — East Fremantle versus East Perth — will be awarded the inaugural Seroja Cup. The first WAFL match played in Northampton is not only a big deal for the town but also for the visiting WAFL clubs. Up to 50 players, volunteers and staff from the Sharks will be coming to Northampton. Two of Northampton’s famous footy products — West Coast spearhead Josh Kennedy and former Fremantle champion Paul Hasleby — are slated to make appearances in support of the event. School clinics, development training, coaching sessions, umpire education and Indigenous engagement will be held in the days leading up to match day, “This is a watershed moment for the Sharks, bringing WAFL grade footy to Northampton in our Mid West catchment area for the first time,” East Fremantle president Mark Stewart said. “It’s a small part we can play assisting Northampton and surrounding communities smashed by cyclone Seroja come together and celebrate our great game, and get involved in grassroots activities they may not ordinarily have access to. “We’re hoping it really lifts community spirit as the region continues to rebuild and sets the standard for WAFL grade footy played in regional WA.” The event has become a reality thanks to efforts by the AFL Rams Community Support Fund, led by former West Coast player and Northampton export Andrew Lockyer and Hasleby, to help support the town’s recovery. Lockyer expected a crowd of 1500 would turn out to enjoy the football. “We’re looking forward to creating an atmosphere of excitement in the town,” he said. Northampton Football Club president Damian Harris praised Lockyer for helping securing the WAFL game. “His town was blown to bits and he was thinking how he can help the community recover, so through his East Freo connections pulled this idea together,” he said. “East Fremantle has helped us out with new goal posts, nets behind the goals and to have Harry (Taylor) working with EFFC last year and make the connection back to his hometown was fantastic. “We hope this game will keep the cyclone Seroja recovery in the spotlight — not just for Northampton but for all the surrounding towns as well.” Harris said the shire and local farmers had rallied together to get the town’s oval, which sustained significant damage in the cyclone, in top shape. “It’s looking its best in 30 years,” he said. Shire of Northampton president Liz Sudlow hoped the event would bring the community together, as well as highlight how resilient the town is. Festival of Footy in Northampton Saturday, April 30, at Northampton Oval 9.45am: GNFLW, Northampton v Brigades 11.30am: WAFLW, East Fremantle v Claremont 1.30pm: WAFL, East Fremantle v East Perth 4.20pm: GNFL, Northampton v Brigades