Involvement on the rise as the VAFA recognises International Women’s Day

Today, on International Women’s Day, the VAFA recognises the many wonderful women throughout our football community that help make us what we are on and off the field.

As Australia’s largest senior community football competition, the involvement of women throughout the VAFA continues to grow, with a significant increase over the past five years.

With the 2022 season fast approaching, there are now more than 50 women in leadership roles within the VAFA community.

These include eight senior women’s Head Coaches, seven Club President’s, three VAFA Board Members, one General Manager in the VAFA administration team and one Patron of the VAFA. There are also some 33 club executives in Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer roles.

The number of women involved throughout the VAFA has grown at a significant rate, as the competition itself continues to expand.

Looking back at 2017, when the VAFA women’s competition was first introduced, there were just two women serving as President’s, two Head Coaches, three VAFA Board Members, and 17 women in various club executive roles.

VAFA CEO Brett Connell said, “today the VAFA recognises and celebrates all of the women involved in our game, not only today but those who came before them. From our Patron Her Excellency Linda Dessau Governor of Victoria, to the current Presidents, Committee Members, Volunteers, Coaches, Players & Umpires of our community, thank you for your wonderful contribution to our great game and blazing the trail for future generations to come.”

One of the two Club President’s from back in 2017 is Joan Eddy, who only recently retired from her position at the Fitzroy Football Club after 12 ground-breaking years at the helm, ably assisted by Secretary Sharon Torney.

In 2022, women leading their clubs in the VAFA are Kelly Dungate (Brunswick), Nicole Hall (MCC), Maddie Sheedy (MUWFC), Sharon Ericksen (Old Mentonians), Sally Tanner (RMIT), Julie Zita (Whitefriars), and Tess Beagley (Williamstown CYMS).

We also recognise Kylie Da Fonte (MHSOB) and Chris Swinburne (St John’s) who are both long standing officials at their respective clubs and continue to put in a power of work.

It’s pleasing to see the rise in women Head Coaches in the VAFA and this year we have Robbie-Lee Stephen (Albert Park), Leonie Hennessey (Brunswick), Olivia Crowe (Glen Eira), Jess Bruger (Kew), Erini Gianakopoulos (MUWFC), Belinda Ousley (St Bedes/Mentone Tigers), Tegan Hamilton (UHSVU), and Jess Faithful (Richmond Central) in charge.

We also acknowledge newly appointed Patron of the Victorian Amateur Football Association, Her Excellency the Honourable Linda Dessau AC, Governor of Victoria.

The VAFA boasts Australia’s largest women’s football competition, with more than 3,000 players across seven divisions, and we recognise and thank all women for their ongoing contribution.