TOPIC:

At a meeting at Subiaco in (from memory) July, one of the topics was the woman's AFL football.

One of the things we were told that evening was that 21.5% of player in AFL are now female.

At Gosnells, we have decided to get in at ground level and start a female team. I have been tasked getting it going.

Last night, I attended the AGM of the Perth District Council and spoke to the newly elected female representative (Caitlin) on the District Council after the meeting.

After some discussion with her, it appears that apart from the teams tied to WAFL Clubs, the new AFL competition, and teams within the junior competition, the only female competition available is under 18's.

Gosnells Junior Football Club has female teams and a number of the girls 'aged out' at the end of the 2016 season and are looking for a team to go to. Given sufficient interest, we could start with an under 18 team, but are looking at going much further than that.

Questions

1. Is anyone aware of a completion available to females over the age of 18 in metro area? I 'understand' such a competition already exists in the Peel District.

2. If there isn't, are any other WAAFL Clubs interested in starting one, even initially on 'unofficial' basis?

3. Are any Clubs interested in setting up an unofficial meeting/discussion to see if we could get it off the ground in 2017? We would be happy to host such a meeting or to ask the WAAFL to do so.

Having put the idea out on a Club Facebook page, the topic has had (at last count) 1,314 hits, I think there is enough interest. With the national AFL competition starting in 2017, I believe interest in the concept will only grow.

Womens football will never be a longtime thing, maybe local amateur comps might get a couple teams, but once the afl women's comp gets up and going, and people realise they are watching shit football get played , they will turn the tv off and not turn up to the games. There is more skill in an E grade game, and I wouldn't pay to watch one of those. A local women's comp will struggle to consistently field a comp of teams I think

Thank you for your thoughts Banga.

I agree - initially, the skill level will be worse than E grade (which actually isn't that low in a number of Clubs).

Would I pay to watch a game? At this stage, probably not. I did watch the game which was televised a couple of months ago and would probably do so again.

The numbers of females participating is growing rapidly, and I believe the demand to carry on playing as these (mostly) junior players get older will grow too.

Will every amateur Club be able to field team or teams? Probably not yet. However, if a competition of (say) 8-10 teams could be put up, that is enough to be viable.

The USAFL this year conducted their second Female National AFL Championships in conjunction with their men's 2016 National Championships.

If it can be done there, it can be done here.

At the WAAFL AGM tonight, I once again, brought up this subject.

What I have found it is:

1. There are a number of clubs who have already women wanting to play.

2. The number of women approaching Clubs to play is increasing - rapidly.

3. Neither the WAFC or the WAAFL are ready to start a competition. Whilst willing to make the right noises, they do not appear ready to make a commitment.

4. There appears to be no objection to Clubs starting something amongst themselves, but the bylaws (as currently written) do not allow female players to be registered - although it is admitted that that it is possible to change this tomorrow (literally tomorrow, as in Thursday morning). At least 6 clubs are willing to do start at least an informal competition. Others would like to, but struggle with grounds, as both junior and senior teams share to the grounds

5. Because women cannot actually register as players (only as volunteers), there could be insurance issues should they actually train and play.

I will be eamailing interested Clubs tomorrow (with copy to Allana Dickie (WAFC Woman's Co-ordinator)) to see what we can set up for 2017.

Please PM me if your club wishes to be included in these emails.

Birdman,I was embarrassed for you last night. Why rush and make an ammo women's comp when its just not ready? and turn women off playing footy because its poorly run. Let the commission, WAWFL & WAAFL sort it out and when it's ready, it's ready.

P.S you cant make a team out of 11 players, that's what AFL 9's is for.

Cheers.

There is a woman's AFL competition in Perth. It is comprised of the 9 WAFL teams and no-one else.

There is a Colts competition as a part of this also for ages 16-18.

Then there are Auskick, Juniors (up to Year 7) and Youth (year 8 to Year 10) competitions.

All of these are a part of the Junior Community Club System.

And at age 16, where do these kids go? Unfortunately, straight out the door, probably to a Play Station or X Box

I am not in the SLIGHTEST embarrassed - but I know the WAFC are!! I have the absolute support of the Club Committee and very simple instructions - 'Brian - get it done'.

I exchanged emails addresses with Clubs so that we can start something (probably informally) this year. Others want do it, have the demand from potential players to do it, but don't have the grounds available. Another wants to start but are concerned because their players would not be covered under JLT.

The AFL and Channel 7 have provided millions in free advertising - and the WAFC have WASTED that opportunity absolutely.

We had the AFL big wigs over here in August or September last year TELLING them to get it started - they APPEAR to have done little or nothing.

The WAFC have all the paperwork, promotional materials, guidelines for Clubs, guidelines for coaches, etc sitting in their office where, to my CERTAIN knowledge, it has been sat for months

That would hardly have been a 'rush'.

A simple email to Clubs in September or October saying 'Who's interested?' followed by a meeting a few weeks later (had there been sufficient interest), and it could have been up and running, with months to sort out rules, formats etc.

As per the men's competition, team nominations in by 17 February and then set fixtures.

How the fixtures would be conducted, I will leave to wiser people than me. Possibly, as per the AFL, a shorter season initially. Maybe shorter games?

Birdman wrote: There is a woman's AFL competition in Perth. It is comprised of the 9 WAFL teams and no-one else.

There is a Colts competition as a part of this also for ages 16-18.

Then there are Auskick, Juniors (up to Year 7) and Youth (year 8 to Year 10) competitions.

All of these are a part of the Junior Community Club System.

And at age 16, where do these kids go? Unfortunately, straight out the door, probably to a Play Station or X Box

I am not in the SLIGHTEST embarrassed - but I know the WAFC are!! I have the absolute support of the Club Committee and very simple instructions - 'Brian - get it done'.

I exchanged emails addresses with Clubs so that we can start something (probably informally) this year. Others want do it, have the demand from potential players to do it, but don't have the grounds available. Another wants to start but are concerned because their players would not be covered under JLT.

The AFL and Channel 7 have provided millions in free advertising - and the WAFC have WASTED that opportunity absolutely.

We had the AFL big wigs over here in August or September last year TELLING them to get it started - they APPEAR to have done little or nothing.

The WAFC have all the paperwork, promotional materials, guidelines for Clubs, guidelines for coaches, etc sitting in their office where, to my CERTAIN knowledge, it has been sat for months

That would hardly have been a 'rush'.

A simple email to Clubs in September or October saying 'Who's interested?' followed by a meeting a few weeks later (had there been sufficient interest), and it could have been up and running, with months to sort out rules, formats etc.

As per the men's competition, team nominations in by 17 February and then set fixtures.

How the fixtures would be conducted, I will leave to wiser people than me. Possibly, as per the AFL, a shorter season initially. Maybe shorter games?

Birdman I thought the competition that Swans' Women's teams play in does not consist of WAFL clubs only. Perhaps you could contact Swans and see if they can provide you with a couple of contacts.

Whitford are trying to get a women's AFL team together. Called for expressions of interest with great response.

Possibly training and exhibition matches planned for this year. Our facilities have also been given the tick of approval re change room requirements etc.

You can't lose with female involvement. Whitford also have a netball club, potential 70+ females coming back for awards on a Saturday night.
We already know the benefits of structured female involvement, women's AFL team is a no brainier.

Club becomes naturally family friendlier

I had another 3 potential players contact me yesterday morning and 6 more this afternoon.

Think we've got s goer numbers wise.

Have also spoken at length with and accredited female AFL coach who wants to coach and play with us.