In 1990, a group of South Australian women instigated the preparation to establish the South Australian Women's Football League (SAWFL) after an exhibition match between the Victorian Women's Football League (VWFL) and some sporting identities in South Australia proved to be a huge success. The founder of the SAWFL, Gina Dutschke, with the assistance of Jenny Williams, were then able to gather enough interest from sportswomen throughout the metropolitan region to form a league of their own in 1991.
Clubs that were instrumental in the early years the League were the Cougars, Thunderbirds, Hectorville, Brighton, Modbury, Para Hills, Kilburn, Edwardstown, Pooraka, Goodwood, North Adelaide, West Adelaide, McLaren Vale and Sturt. The League comprised four clubs in its final year: Woodville-West Torrens, Morphettville Park, Port Adelaide and Greenacres.
SAWFL collaborated with the SANFL's Affiliated Junior District Leagues with the planning of a Youth Girls competition which commenced in the 2008 season. Over 900 players had registered with SAWFL since 1991.
Under the guidance of the President, Georgi Iley, the League progressed forward in generating a player pathway for females of all ages in South Australia.
At the conclusion of the 2015 season, the AFL announced that there would be a ten-match Exhibition Series in 2016, which included a South Australia v NSW/ACT State of Origin match and a South Australia Reds v South Australia Blues match,[1] and the formation of the AFLW in 2017. Subsequently, the SAWFL merged with the SAAFL to form the Adelaide Footy League, becoming the women's competition of that League, and was replaced by the SANFLW from 2017.
League members who long represented SA at the National Women's AFL Championships and played 250 games or more were Catherine Mulvihill (305 games), Tiffany Lee (302 games), Cheryl Wills (268 games), Nancy Tidswell (266 games), Linda Mounsey (252 games) and Cassie Hartley (251 games).
The Dutschke Medal is named after Gina Dutschke, the founder of the South Australian Women's Football League, back in 1990. The Medal is awarded to the best and fairest overall of the season as determined by the Umpires. This prestigious award is presented to the recipient at the end of season Presentation Dinner.[3]
The Glazbrook Medal was named after Trudy Glazbrook, at the time was the league's longest running highest goalkicker. The Medal is awarded to the player with the highest number of goals kicked throughout the competition.[6]
The Carmel Laube Medal was named in memory and honour of Carmel Laube, who played for Edwardstown, and represented the State Squad until ill health. We fondly remember her time and contribution to the League. This medal is awarded to the player's player - the most respected player amongst peers in the competition.[7]
The Pitman Medal was named after Deb Pitman, a life member of SAWFL. This award is given to the Rookie of the Year. The highest number of votes for the first year player in SAWFL.[8]
2017 Elysse Haussen (Flinders University)
2016 Ebony O'Dea (Adelaide University) & Ellen Maple (Mount Lofty)
The Dutschke Medal is named after Catherine Mulvihill, a SAWFL Life Member and the first player in the South Australian Women's Football League to reach the 300 games milestone The Medal is awarded to the best and fairest overall of the season as determined by the Umpires.[11]
SAWFL Club of the Year was introduced in 2011 to encourage increased professionalism within the League and its Affiliated Clubs. The introduction of the Club of the Year Award seeks to recognise the efforts of volunteers and officials that promote Women's Football and provide safe and sustainable Club environments.[15]
^ This was originally meant to be an Adelaide v Port Adelaide match, but Port Adelaide's women's team went into recess at the end of 2016: after plans for an Adelaide v Rest of South Australia match fell through, Adelaide, Port Adelaide and the AFL mutually agreed to arrange this fixture, which also served as a selection trial for the inaugural Adelaide AFLW squad.
