World Footy News

This week is Round 14 – AFL Women’s Round. And inkeeping with Saturday’s inaugural AFL Women’s Game, featuring the top 50 female footballers from across the country, the theme of Women’s Round will be “talent”.

The historic clash, between women’s teams representing the Melbourne Demons and the Western Bulldogs will take place on Saturday on the MCG at 5:10 pm, as a curtain raiser for the men’s AFL fixture. The winning team will be awarded the Hampson-Hardeman Cup, named after two female footballers who led the way for developing the women’s game during the 90’s.

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Leading up to the Women’s AFL Game was of course last week’s Women’s National Championships in Cairns, where Victoria once again reigned supreme in Division 1, comfortably defeating old rivals Western Australia, whilst the up and coming ACT showed everyone that size doesn’t matter, taking out the underperforming South Australia in Division 2.

Following the Women’s Nationals was the Women’s Industry Luncheon on Thursday, where this year’s Football Woman of the Year (FWOTY) nominees were announced.

AFL National and International Development Manager Andrew Dillon pronounced Women’s Round as an opportunity to recognise the achievements of female football players and the work that women put into the game as coaches, umpires, volunteers and fans.

“Women play a role in the game on and off the field at every level,” he said. “I look forward to watching the exhibition match on Saturday where the best female football talent will be on show.”

Also announced were the latest statistics concerning women in football:

• There are now over 136,000 female players across the country, from Auskick to senior level.

• There are 5500 female coaches, who make up 35% of club coaches, and 2000 female umpires.

• Women also make up 35% of volunteers