In recent years, female football has experienced a significant surge in popularity and recognition across Australia. Consequently, many female athletes have been challenged by societal barriers, limited access to resources, and outdated stereotypes. However, the landscape is rapidly changing, and it is essential to foster an inclusive environment that empowers young girls to pursue their football dreams. 

Geelong, in particular, is making big strides for young female footballers. With a firm commitment to equality and inclusivity, AFL Barwon is gearing up to host its first-ever female football competition for Under 9's within the Barwon region. The competition is set to follow after the upcoming U9's Female Football Come and Try and Auskick Graduation Event on Wednesday, the 26th of July, at GMHBA Stadium 4:30 to 5:30 pm.

In partnership with AFL Victoria and the Geelong Cats, the ‘Come and Try’ event aims to provide a unique opportunity for young football enthusiasts to participate in an on-field clinic conducted by AFL and AFLW players, followed by a Q&A session and Auskick graduation. Parents and coordinators will also be included in the fun and will have the opportunity to attend an information session held in the President's North room. 

Following the "Come and Try" night, the U9's female football competition in the Barwon region will kick off. Held at Highton Reserve, this six-week competition will commence on the 4th of August and run on Friday nights. As the youngest female football competition ever seen in the Barwon region, this event holds immense significance and will not only allow girls to explore their potential in sports but also paves the way for a brighter and more inclusive future for female football in Geelong. 

As Geelong embraces this exciting moment in promoting female participation in sport, it sends a powerful message to young girls that their dreams and aspirations are valued and supported. The importance of female empowerment and engagement in sports cannot be emphasised enough. Through participation in sports like football, young girls gain more than just athletic skill; they learn to embrace challenges, work as a team, and build their self-confidence. These traits extend beyond the field, positively influencing their personal lives, academics, and future careers.

Newtown & Chilwell’s Under 9 Girls coordinator, Maddy McMahon, is thrilled about the new Geelong Advertiser Under 9 competition, seeing it as an incredible initiative for young girls to engage in football. She appreciates the short duration of the competition as it allows girls to be introduced to the sport without the pressures of long-term commitment. Newtown currently lacks Under 10 and Under 12 girl’s teams, and they have plans to address this gap in the future. The new competition serves as a perfect opportunity to generate interest and support for establishing these teams in the club. Newtown & Chilwell have relied on social media and word of mouth in a bid to recruit players, hoping to reach as many interested girls as possible. Maddy believes the most exciting aspect of this new competition is the chance to introduce girls to football through a short and fun format. The approach is expected to create a positive experience for the girls and encourage them to further explore their passion for the sport.

Under 9's Female Football Come and Try and Auskick Graduation Event - Registration Details 

To ensure a seamless and enjoyable event for all attendees, we kindly request that all participants be registered through the provided link: https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/af76c1. Please ensure to select the option for 'Under 9 Girls Come and Try @ GMHBA Stadium' during the registration process.

It is important to note that due to room restrictions, we can accommodate only one parent and one child per registration. Additionally, only children actively participating in the clinic are allowed on the oval. Furthermore, the event will be covered by Cats and external media, adding to the excitement and significance of the day.

Author: Madison Old (AFL Barwon Intern)

The AFL Barwon Commission has endorsed the decision to play the 2023 Epworth Female Football Finals Series Grand Finals to be played at Herne Hill Reserve again in 2023.

The home of St Joseph’s Football Netball Club played host in 2022 with record crowds and atmosphere for the pinnacle of the Female Football season. Played across the two ovals (Drew Oval and Walker Oval) will host 8 games on Sunday August 27^th. The festival-like atmosphere celebrating the seasons of junior and senior female football competitions is an annual highlight of the AFL Barwon season.

The newly formed Under 19’s competition will continue to play their matches on a Friday night with all finals being held at Queens Park. This competition finishes earlier than the other female football competitions therefore must be played as a separate event.

Sue Cormack, the President of St. Joseph's Football Netball Club, expressed immense pleasure and pride in the Club's role as the host for the Epworth Female Football Grand Finals in 2023. Sue stated, "St Joseph's Football and Netball Club is delighted to be hosting the Epworth Female Football Grand Finals in 2023 and showcasing the remarkable development of the female game within our region." The club's commitment to providing exceptional facilities is evident as Sue highlighted the presence of a new pavilion, a central location, and the provision of six gender-inclusive changerooms. Their collective aim is to transform the day into a splendid gala event that will be enjoyed by players, friends, and families alike.

Edward Wilson, the AFL Barwon Region General Manager, conveyed deep appreciation and gratitude towards the clubs in the region for their support in the growth and development of Female Football. Emphasizing the significance of St Joseph's Football Netball Club hosting the Grand Final Day for the second consecutive year, Edward stated, "We're incredibly grateful for the support our Clubs across the region continue to dedicate in growing and supporting Female Football, with St. Joseph's hosting Grand Final Day for the second year in a row."

Edward also expressed sincere appreciation for the assistance provided by the clubs in hosting the earlier weeks of Finals by stating, "The support of Belmont FNC, North Geelong FNC & Modewarre FNC in hosting the preliminary weeks of Finals is greatly appreciated, and we have no doubt these will be memorable days."

The full schedule for the Epworth Female Football Finals Series is as follows:

Epworth Senior Female Football Competitions & Under 14 / 16 Female Football Competitions

Week 1 – McDonald Reserve (South Barwon FNC), Osborne Park (North Geelong) & Winter Reserve (Belmont FNC)

Sunday, August 13

First Semi Finals

Week 2 – Mt Moriac Reserve (Modewarre FNC)

Sunday, August 20

Preliminary Finals

Week 3 – Herne Hill Reserve (St Joseph’s FNC)

Sunday, August 27

Grand Finals

Epworth Under 19 Female Football Competition

Week 1 – Queens Park.

Friday, August 4

First Semi Finals

Week 2 - Queens Park.

Friday, August 11

Preliminary Finals

Week 3 – Queens Park

Friday, August 18

Grand Finals

For further media comment, please contact AFL Barwon Region General Manager, Edward Wilson (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

The AFL has launched the third annual ‘Women’s Coaching Month’, supported by BHP, to take place throughout July.

Women’s Coaching Month presents an opportunity to celebrate the contribution of current women and girls in coaching roles across the country and promote the pathway programs and initiatives to get more women coaching from grassroots through to the elite level.

The surge in popularity in women and girls football since the inception of the AFLW competition in 2017 has seen numbers of women coaching rise sharply too. In 2023 there are more than 2,000 women and girls registered as community football coaches nationally.

There is strong representation across state league and talent pathway programs, with a highlight being the rise in women coaches in the Coates Talent League, up from zero in 2022 to nine this year across the boys and girls programs. Even with this growth, recruiting more women into coaching roles at all levels is a priority for the game.

The BHP and AFL partnership focuses on developing girls and women who want to play, coach, umpire and administer our game, and encourages men and the broader community to be advocates and allies in this space. The partnership is a holistic one that focuses on promoting leadership, inclusion, equality and wellbeing, recognising that progression for women is what’s best for the community.

BHP has strong ties to coaching through the BHP Women’s Coaching Academy, which has seen 28 coaches graduate since 2018 and a further eight are currently involved as part of the 2023 program. BHP is also the proud presenting partner of the National She Can Coach program alongside the Women’s Coaching Month campaign.

Another key program to promote women's coaching is the Women's Coach Acceleration Program, with nine full-time coaching positions within AFLW programs co-funded by the AFL and clubs.

The BHP Community Coach of the Year Award recognises the outstanding performance and contribution community coaches make to progressing women’s football and shaping their local community. Nominations can be made here.

AFL General Manager Women’s Football, Nicole Livingstone, said that growing and supporting women in coaching is an imperative to ensure the future success of women and girls football.

“We have seen significant momentum generated in the women and girls coaching space in recent years with numbers growing and greater emphasis placed on attraction and retention, not just for women coaching women and girls but women coaching men and boys as well.

“There is a lot of work to be done to continue to build women and girls coaching in Australian football but the significant progress made and sharp focus we have in this space has given us a really strong foundation.

“The support provided by BHP has been instrumental in developing programs designed to support women and girls in coaching and we are seeing the benefits of the programs, including the BHP Women’s Coaching Academy, Women’s Coach Acceleration Program and National She Can Coach program.

“I look forward to seeing the women who are involved in coaching at all levels of the game share the spotlight over the course of July as we tell great stories of those who make such an important contribution through coaching, grow awareness of programs and hope to attract more women to coaching.”

Nominate a coach for the 2023 BHP Community Coach of the Year

The BHP Community Coach of the Year Award recognises the outstanding performance and contribution community coaches make to progressing women’s football and shaping their local community. Nominate here: https://www.womens.afl/bhp-community-coach-award 

Nominate a coach who deserves to have their story shared

People involved in the game across the country are encouraged to highlight a female coach who has made a significant contribution to the game. Submissions can be made by submitting a story that will be showcased on AFL State and Territory digital channels. Go here: https://aflcommunity.wufoo.com/forms/afl-womens-coaching-month-july-2023/ 

Women’s coaching webinar – July 18

Hear from community and state league coaches on their journey during a Women’s Coaching Month community webinar on Tuesday, July 18. Register for the webinar here: https://www.play.afl/coach/womens-coaching-month 

WOMEN IN COACHING IN 2023 – ELITE, VFLW AND TALENT PATHWAYS

Women’s Coach Acceleration program

Emma Kearney (North Melbourne)

Chelsea Randall (Adelaide Crows)

Emma Zielke (Brisbane Lions)

Chloe McMillan (Collingwood)

Natalie Wood (Essendon)

Daisy Pearce (Geelong Cats)

Alicia Eva (GWS GIANTS)

Bec Goddard (Hawthorn)

Erin Philips (Port Adelaide)

More information here

rebel VFLW

Box Hill Hawks - Cherie O'Neill

Collingwood - Chloe McMillan

Darebin Falcons - Kate Tyndall

Geelong Cats - Elise Coventry

North Melbourne - Steph Binder

Southern Saints - Michelle Densley

Coates Talent League

Bendigo Pioneers - Whitney Kennedy

Eastern Ranges (Boys) - Lauren Morecroft

Geelong Falcons - Melissa Hickey

GWV Rebels - Sally Riley

Murray Bushrangers - Emma Mackie

Northern Knights - Allana Dickie

Sandringham Dragons - Martha Cantwell

Tasmania Devils - Jodie Clifford

Western Jets - Hayley Gossow 

National talent programs - U18 Girls National Championships

Allies: Jodie Clifford

Victoria Country: Mel Hickey

Victoria Metro: Allana Dickie

National talent programs - U16 Girls National Championships

Tasmania: Jodie Clifford

Sydney Swans Academy: Bron Gulden

South Australia: Bek McMahon

Victoria Country: Emma Mackie

Victoria Metro: Hayley Gossow

Western Australia: Jenna Allomes

BHP Women’s Coaching Academy

Kirby Bentley – Essendon AFLW Assistant Coach

Lexia Edwards – SANFLW Head Coach, Glenelg Football Club

Tanya Hetherington – AFL National Talent Development Coach

Leah Kasler – Adelaide Crows AFLW Development Coach

Liz Quinn – Program Director and Head Coach of ADF Women’s Football; Culture and Leadership Coach at Richmond AFLW.

Shae Sloane – Melbourne AFLW Development Coach

Steph Walding – WAFLW Head Coach, East Fremantle Football Club.

Lou Wotton – Hawthorn AFLW Assistant Coach

National She Can Coach Program presented by BHP

Aimee McDougall - VIC (Diamond Creek Women’s)

Alana Hanson - NSW/ACT (Northern Beaches Blues)

Alix Kearney - VIC (Oakleigh Chargers)

Cath Quinn - SA (Westminster Old Scholars)

Cristy Marsh - VIC (Balnarring)

Emerson Hitch - VIC (Darley)

Emily Otto - QLD (Bond University/Burleigh Bombers)

Erin Burns - VIC (GWV Rebels)

Erin Chivers - TAS (University (SFL))

Fiona Van de Made - NSW/ACT (Ainslie) 

Janelle Marangon - WA (Perth)

Jessie Woolford - NT (NTFL Umpires)

Kate Anderson (Darby) - VIC (Geelong Falcons)

Katlyn Scott - NSW/ACT (Bermagui)

Megan Boers-Veen - SA (Willaston)

Michaela Nayler - QLD (Sherwood Magpies)

Michelle O'Brien - SA (Happy Valley)

Mika Berman - WA (East Fremantle)

Natalie Pribil - VIC (Beaumaris)

Rebecca Dee - VIC (Melbourne University Women's)

Sabrina Kliousis - NSW/ACT (Newcastle City)

Sarah Christensen - WA (Under 15s State School Girl's coaching)

Siobhan O’Dwyer - VIC (Preston Bullants)

Sophia Ikosidekas - VIC (Williamstown)

Tammie Lauritsen - QLD (Morningside)

AFL Barwon wishes to congratulate the below players who have been selected in the Under 14 Boy's 2023 AFL Barwon Junior Talent Academy squads.

The AFL Barwon Junior Talent Academies in 2023 consist of an Under 15 boys and a combined Under 14/15 girl's squads which have already been released.

The Under 14 boy's squad will commence training on the 2nd of August at Winter Reserve.

Players will undertake an intensive program that will focus skill and education development. The program will be coordinated by the AFL Barwon appointed coaches in a collaboration with Rookie Me and their expert coaching team.

The list of players selected can be found below.