World Footy News

In celebration of the outstanding achievements of women in football and their ongoing sponsorship of the Victorian Women’s Football League, Melbourne Football club celebrated last weekend’s Round 13 game against GWS Giants as “Women’s Round”.

 

Included in the celebrations were:

 

An all girls clinic on the MCG facilitated by Melbourne Demons players and participants of the club’s Trident Girls’ Academy, attended by over 100 girls.

 

“High Tea at the ‘G” inviting the women of Melbourne to enjoy high tea with Melbourne FC board member Karen Hayes, Director of Sports Performance Neil Craig and CEO Cameron Schwab.

Free tickets for 500 women and girls who play and administer football, including those from the VWFL.

 

AFL Victoria VWFL Academy and Victorian U18 State team Lap of Honour- the academy is made up of the best young female players in the state and the U18 squad recently won the 2012 Youth Girls National Championships.

 

The Guard of Honour will be made up of 50 young female Demons fans, lined up to cheers the players as they run through the banner.

 

 

 As the major sponsors of the VWFL since 2009, Melbourne Football Club is passionate about promoting female football participation and supporting other females involved in the game who umpire, administer and support Australian Football.

 

Melbourne CEO Cameron Schwab told the attendees that Women’s Round was a great opportunity to showcase the input made by women in football.

 

“We are committed to supporting women and girls playing and administering the game of Aussie Rules,” he said.

 “The Melbourne Football Club has dedicated this weekend’s match to acknowledge and promote the fantastic contribution women and girls make to our great game.

“Women and girls playing footy is the fastest growing area of participation in the game. We want all women and girls who play to know that they have the support of the Melbourne Football Club.”

 

“We will endeavour to promote and assist with the growth of women’s and girls’ football and continue to provide exciting learning opportunities that will develop these players as footballers and people. We look forward to this weekend’s celebration.”

 

 

Grant Williams, General Manager of AFL Victoria, also commended the Club’s contribution to supporting women in football.

 

“The Melbourne Football Club has been terrific supporters of not only the Victorian Women’s Football League, but also in recognising the role of women in football across the board,” he said.

 

Among Melbourne FC’s other commitments to female football have included their “Dare to Dream” programme- a self esteem developing programme for year 9 students; the Trident Academy- a 2-day workshop for female footballers between the ages of 12 and 17; the Melbourne Demons under 12s girls football team; an Auskick programme for primary school aged girls; the inclusion of VWFL news and results on the club’s website; the VWFL Rising Stars Award Programme, and coaching Education sessions for VWFL coaches run by the Melbourne FC’s assistant coaches.