World Footy News

The past few years has seen a significant increase in women's involvement in football, both on and off the field. In Australia there are female board-members at AFL clubs and studies have suggested that women account for 40 or 50% of football fans.

Adding to this, more women's football clubs are being established, with the largest league (Victorian WFL) gaining greater exposure in the media.

Having said this, the ladies version of Australian football is far less advanced than the mens in Australia. There are no professional leagues, nor is there a large spectator following - basketball, netball and to a lesser degree cricket are ahead in this regard. For this reason, many people have pointed out that a World cup involving a full-strength Australian side would be ready for the women much before the men. Women’s involvement in football has been documented in South Africa, PNG, the USA and Canada.

WFN now looks to the Pacific, and gives football fans a brief overview of how women are involved with the game there.

Samoa

In what would be described as impressive player numbers for any program outside of Australia, male or female, over 2250 girls partook in AFL Samoa’s football programs in 2007. These programs saw them learn the basic concepts of the game, along with basic skills.

Michael Roberts, AFL Samoa’s National Game Development Manager has also told WFN that Milanui Feaunati, Samoa’s 2005 International Cup coach, has been reappointed for the country’s third attempt at the title later this year. Feaunati gained exposure back in Melbourne in 2005 for being a female coach of a men’s national football side. This is no small feat, to date no female has coached an AFL side, nor does this look like changing anytime soon.

Four female principals have also incorporated Australian football into their schools' curriculum.

Tonga

The Tonga Australian Football Association (TAFA) ran a nine-week football program for schools in 2007. Ten schools were reached, and approximately 200 girls took part in the program. Initially the girls had no concept of footy and the opportunity to be active (they are usually restricted to watching their male peers) was their major motivator. The program had also been modified slightly, focusing on footy as a fun activity. Promisingly the girls developed some great skills as their knowledge of the game grew.

In the past TAFA has run programs with High School students, which Mike Russell of TAFA told us "was quite challenging, as the girls became disinterested easily. However we feel that the new influx of girls (taking) part in Aussie Rules can change this trend, in say 5 years".

Very promisingly, TAFA has formed an agreement with the Tonga Health Promotions Unit to provide the Physical education component of their program. The Promotions Unit focuses on improving the health of school children though education, better diet and physical education. Queen Salote College, an all-girls school has adopted the program and this should lead to more female youth kicking footies.

While TAFA doesn't think a women's league in Tonga is likely for the near future, a Women’s national side might be possible, however financial restraints would make an appearance at a future women's International Cup difficult.

In other exciting news for football in Tonga, Dylan Harper, a former West Australian Football League employee, has been appointed as TAFA’s next AYAD. On top of this, former AYAD Ed McCowen has returned to Tonga providing the organisation with more human resources. Russ Higgins, an AYAD in Tonga on a separate mission is also assisting.