Paul Hasleby appointed WAFLW Head Coach
East Fremantle Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Paul Hasleby as WAFLW Head Coach for the 2027 season, as the Club begins the next chapter of its women’s football program.
The appointment follows confirmation that 2026 premiership coach David Eames will conclude his tenure at the completion of his current contract on 31 October 2026. East Fremantle CEO Adrian Bromage acknowledged Eames’ contribution and the significance of the Club’s 2026 WAFLW Premiership.
“Winning a premiership is an outstanding achievement and David should be extremely proud of the role he played in delivering that success,” Bromage said. “David leaves having coached East Fremantle to a WAFLW Premiership and we sincerely thank him for his commitment and contribution to the Club.”
The Club will now move immediately into its next phase under Hasleby, who brings extensive playing and coaching experience together with a strong connection to East Fremantle and women’s football.
An East Fremantle product, Hasleby won the Sharks’ League fairest and best in 1999 as an 18-year-old before being selected by Fremantle with pick No. 2 in the 1999 AFL Draft. He went on to play 208 AFL games for the Dockers, winning the 2000 AFL Rising Star Award, earning All-Australian selection in 2003 and winning four Ross Glendinning Medals. He was inducted into the WA Football Hall of Fame in 2015.
Hasleby’s coaching experience includes three seasons as senior coach of South Fremantle in the WAFL. He has also previously worked within the female football pathway, including assisting the WA State Under 18 Youth Girls program. Bromage said Hasleby’s appointment provided an exciting opportunity to build on the Club’s premiership success while strengthening the connection between its WAFLW and Rogers Cup programs.
“Paul is an outstanding football person who brings enormous experience, credibility and football knowledge to the role, but just as importantly, he understands our Club and our people,” Bromage said. “He already has a strong connection with our women’s program and particularly the emerging players coming through Rogers Cup, which was an important consideration for us.”
“We have an exciting young group and a strong pathway underneath it. Paul’s ability to communicate, develop players and bring people together makes him an excellent fit for where we want to take the program.
“This is an opportunity to build on what was achieved in 2026. We are incredibly proud to be the reigning WAFLW premiers, and our focus now is on continuing to develop the program and creating sustained success.”
Hasleby said he was excited by the opportunity to lead the Sharks’ WAFLW program. “East Fremantle gave me my first opportunity and provided me with some of my greatest memories and it’s a privilege to be able to provide the same opportunity to the next generation coming through” Hasleby said. “There is a talented group of players already in the program and some exciting young players coming through Rogers Cup. I’m looking forward to working closely with the players, coaches and football department to keep developing the program and build on the success the Club achieved this year.”
Hasleby will officially commence as WAFLW Head Coach on 1 November 2026.
The appointment follows confirmation that 2026 premiership coach David Eames will conclude his tenure at the completion of his current contract on 31 October 2026. East Fremantle CEO Adrian Bromage acknowledged Eames’ contribution and the significance of the Club’s 2026 WAFLW Premiership.
“Winning a premiership is an outstanding achievement and David should be extremely proud of the role he played in delivering that success,” Bromage said. “David leaves having coached East Fremantle to a WAFLW Premiership and we sincerely thank him for his commitment and contribution to the Club.”
The Club will now move immediately into its next phase under Hasleby, who brings extensive playing and coaching experience together with a strong connection to East Fremantle and women’s football.
An East Fremantle product, Hasleby won the Sharks’ League fairest and best in 1999 as an 18-year-old before being selected by Fremantle with pick No. 2 in the 1999 AFL Draft. He went on to play 208 AFL games for the Dockers, winning the 2000 AFL Rising Star Award, earning All-Australian selection in 2003 and winning four Ross Glendinning Medals. He was inducted into the WA Football Hall of Fame in 2015.
Hasleby’s coaching experience includes three seasons as senior coach of South Fremantle in the WAFL. He has also previously worked within the female football pathway, including assisting the WA State Under 18 Youth Girls program. Bromage said Hasleby’s appointment provided an exciting opportunity to build on the Club’s premiership success while strengthening the connection between its WAFLW and Rogers Cup programs.
“Paul is an outstanding football person who brings enormous experience, credibility and football knowledge to the role, but just as importantly, he understands our Club and our people,” Bromage said. “He already has a strong connection with our women’s program and particularly the emerging players coming through Rogers Cup, which was an important consideration for us.”
“We have an exciting young group and a strong pathway underneath it. Paul’s ability to communicate, develop players and bring people together makes him an excellent fit for where we want to take the program.
“This is an opportunity to build on what was achieved in 2026. We are incredibly proud to be the reigning WAFLW premiers, and our focus now is on continuing to develop the program and creating sustained success.”
Hasleby said he was excited by the opportunity to lead the Sharks’ WAFLW program. “East Fremantle gave me my first opportunity and provided me with some of my greatest memories and it’s a privilege to be able to provide the same opportunity to the next generation coming through” Hasleby said. “There is a talented group of players already in the program and some exciting young players coming through Rogers Cup. I’m looking forward to working closely with the players, coaches and football department to keep developing the program and build on the success the Club achieved this year.”
Hasleby will officially commence as WAFLW Head Coach on 1 November 2026.