Vecchio-Smith Medal founded to kick off the WAFLW Season

The East Fremantle Football Club is proud to announce a new Fremantle Derby tradition entering the WAFLW competition for the first time.

For Round 1 of the 2024 WAFLW Season, the game between the Sharks and Bulldogs will include a new medal to go to the player determined to be the best on ground.

This medal is to be named the Vecchio-Smith Medal in honour of two women in football that have had such a positive impact.

Lauren Vecchio is the current captain of the South Fremantle Football Club, having played 40 WAFLW games for the club, and achieving South Fremantle’s Fairest & Best Award in 2020.

Lynette Smith has had a significant impact within football for East Fremantle. She played 133 games since starting her football career in 1989 and has continued to contribute as a volunteer for the club for many years, undertaking numerous different roles. She is also a common sight to be seen at EFFC games, as she regularly undertakes the role of “Shredder the Shark” as our mascot on big game days.  On the medal, she has said it represents "a legacy for women who were there when it first started, memories of what was and growing the game for now and in the future".

“Even within my short time in my role as CEO, it’s been clear that Lynette Smith is one of the great contributors of the East Fremantle football community. It’s fantastic to have her on board for this new derby tradition”, said EFFC CEO Addy Wetzler.

Mark Stewart, EFFC President, is thrilled with the new tradition, “The Vecchio-Smith Medal is a great new inclusion for our WAFLW history, and it’s fantastic to see the contributions of Lynette Smith being recognised this way”.

The medal will be awarded for the first time upon conclusion of the WAFL Women’s League derby this Saturday the 2^nd of March at Fremantle Oval. Rogers Cup play from 2:35pm, and WAFL Women’s League from 4:40pm.