World Footy News

Carlton today announced the Kate Shierlaw of the Wimbledon Hawks will be one of their rookie players for the inaugural season of the AFL Women's league in 2017.

Shierlaw is originally from Adelaide and is a huge Carlton fan, but only began playing Aussie rules this year in London for the first time.  Kate is the first woman to be signed to an AFL club from a club outside Australia. 

Senior women’s coach Damien Keeping said of Kate "(she) is returning to Australia from the UK which demonstrates her passion and dedication to the game.

“Although she has only recently taken up the sport, Kate is a tremendous athlete with a strong work ethic and deep desire to develop and hone her football skills.”
 

The signing should be a huge boost to women around the world playing the game that they can be genuinely considered as part of the pathway to the elite AFL Women's competition. 

The Carlton website describes the Adelaide-born Shierlaw as "a lifelong Carlton supporter, has been living and working in the UK since the start of the year and recently began playing football for the Wimbledon Hawks in the AFL London Women's League. Standing at 186cm tall, she has the ability to play in the ruck and also move forward and take contested marks."