17/09/2026
EAST PERTH REIGN SUPREME IN WOMEN’S DIVISION ONE – Photo by Beth Cole Photography
East Perth are the 2026 Construction Training Fund Division One Champions, winning the title by 11 points to their nearest rivals Fremantle City and Mandurah City. Head Coach Chris Lynch said it’s been a fantastic season, and his players have improved week after week. “Yes, it's been a great year for women's football at East Perth, and we’ve gone from strength to strength, and after promotion last year and finishing sixth and seeing the league, we set out for a rebuild,” Lynch explained.
“While we kept the core of the team, we added a few extra quality players who knew the league, and our aim at the start of the year was always to challenge for the league. So, to win it by 11 points is a credit to the ladies who have performed week after week, as it is a very tough and competitive league and on any day any team can beat each other, so very pleased with the season.
“It has been a great all-round team effort, our Keeper Maria (Flandes-Iparraguirre), and defence has been solid with the help of midfield it gives our strikers the freedom to attack and be direct. Our front four always want to score and Christiane (Astorp) leading the line we know what to expect with goals and she has done that all year with 27 goals this season.”
After a lot of discussion, the club have decided not to go up to the NPL, but Lynch said that’s where they want to be, but now is not the time. “NPLW is where the club want to be with the women's team, but for the club it has come a little early,” he said. “We want to be ready and have a plan in place, the club is waiting on redevelopments to our ground at Cabrini Park with new changing rooms and lights, which will be ready by 2028. This will give us the facilities to push NPLW and time to create a under 18 team. The NPLW is a tough league so we want to make sure we have everything in place before making that next step.”
It's a bitter-sweet end to the season for Lynch, who will step down as Head Coach, but he is really positive the clubs’ women’s program will continue to grow, as well as the rest of men’s, women’s and junior teams at East Perth, but he will be involved behind the scenes. “East Perth is going from strength to strength, President Patrick Dunne has been great this year, as has all the committee,” he explained. “For me personally I started the women's program four years ago at the club and to have three women's teams is very pleasing
“I have coached this team from metros to women's state league and to finish off with a Night Series and League is very pleasing. Shout out to my captain Rachel Hein, who has been with me from day one in metros to now. It’s exciting times ahead for the club, but for me I’m now stepping down as women's coach to focus on the redevelopments at Cabrini Park. But I will leave the team in good hands with my assistant Luke Green taking over.”
