VAFA Women leading the way

The VAFA currently has the largest Women’s Senior Community Football competition in Australia, with the on-field competition going from strength to strength with 74 teams in 2024 and approximately 2,500 participants taking the field. The contribution of Women off the field is also going from strength to strength with a variety of senior leadership roles within VAFA clubs being held by Women.

In 2024, 10 VAFA clubs will be led by Women as Club President with a further 29 Women taking up roles as Vice President or Secretary throughout the association. A key to the ongoing support and development of Women in leadership roles within VAFA clubs is access to professional development opportunities and the ability to create purposeful networks while hearing from Industry leaders and respected Women in leadership positions at the highest level.

Recently 9 Women representing a variety of VAFA clubs were accepted into the highly competitive Lead Your Way Leadership Program. This AFL Victoria and AFL National initiative aims to progress the skills and network of women and gender diverse leaders across a series of development and networking events in 2024. The program will be supported by two national online events, a leadership development webinar, and an invitation to the BHP Think Big Leadership Forum.

The Lead Your Way program was limited to 50 Women across Victoria in 2024 from all Community clubs.

The VAFA would like to congratulate the following successful applicants to the Lead Your Way program and wish them success on their personal and professional development:

• Johannah Griffin (President, Albert Park FC)
• Alida Lipton (President, Ajax FC) pictured above
• Anastasia Gilchrist (Secretary, UHS-VU AFC)
• Audrey Fithall (Secretary, West Brunswick AFC) pictured below
• Maddy Noack (President, Melbourne University Womens FC)
• Frankie Freeman (President, North Brunswick FC)
• Lara Cartwright (Secretary, Power House AFC)
• Tess Beagley (President, Williamstown CY’s)
• Kelly Dungate (President, Brunswick FC)