Looma Eagles women’s team bows out of WKFL 2022 season due to COVID concerns

Last year’s women’s West Kimberley Football League runner-ups the Looma lady Eagles won’t be participating in the local footy competition this year.

WKFL president Sam Alexeeff said health and safety concerns were the biggest contributor to the women’s decision not to participate this season.

“The main concern is COVID with it still spreading throughout WA and the Kimberley,” he said.

Although the women won’t be seen running on to the footy field this year, the Looma Eagles men’s team is keen to get back on to the field and kick some goals in the upcoming season, according to Mr Alexeeff.

“I understand why the men have decided to play this year.”

“It can be detrimental to the community not to have access to sport and can lead to poor social habits being picked up.”

Although the men will be travelling out of their community to Broome and occasionally Derby to compete, no football matches will take place inside the Looma community.

“No games will take place at Looma this year,” Mr Alexeeff said.

“Looma has some upgrades happening to their oval so it will be great to have games back, once the upgrades are complete and the COVID situation has subsided.

“When Looma decides to return the competition to their community and have games there we will work with them and be in contact with police and the health department making sure that we comply with all regulations and keep the community safe.”

Last year the Looma Eagles women’s team put up a good fight against Cable Beach in the grand final but ultimately succumbed to the Greenbacks who took the win, 7.4 (46) to 3.9 (27).