The Adelaide Crows are strengthening their commitment to women’s football by securing a leading coach to assist with a number of initiatives.

Former Adelaide Thunderbirds and ANZ Championship-winning coach Jane Woodlands-Thompson is joining the Crows’ women’s football advisory committee, which will be responsible for planning and fostering the Club’s strategy, talent identification and development pathways.

The panel will also feature Crows Head of Football David Noble and Development Manager Heath Younie amongst others.

The Crows are also determined to bolster their involvement in women’s football with Chief Executive Andrew Fagan confirming the Club will bid for an AFL licence for the inaugural season in 2017.

With this in mind, there will be a talent trial open to women who are interested in joining an elite sporting environment.

The event, to be held early in the New Year, will be run by leading coaches and high performance experts at Adelaide’s world class training facility.

Crows Chief Executive Officer Andrew Fagan said the Club also hoped to host more women’s games prior to home matches at Adelaide Oval in 2016, following the success of the All Stars game earlier this year.

“We are excited at the prospect of having a women’s team in an AFL competition and will do all we can to obtain a licence for 2017,” Fagan said.

“As a Club, we want as many people as possible to be able to play, watch and enjoy our great game and we see this new competition as crucial to the long-term future of our sport.

“We are well advanced with our thinking and planning and encourage as many women as possible to attend our upcoming trial irrespective of their sporting background.” 

The Club has already hosted the South Australian squad at its West Lakes headquarters earlier this year, while its Women of Adelaide program was created in 2013 to connect with those passionate about football.

Those interested in attending the Club’s talent trial should email womensafl@afc.com.au to register their interest.