VAFA Women’s Section Structure set for 2025 opening

The initial VAFA Senior Women’s Section Structures have been released for season 2025, with re-grading to be assessed post-Round 4.

The VAFA Women’s competition continues to go from strength-to-strength, with 51 clubs to field at least one women’s team this coming season.

More than 1,140 players will run out to participate in the 2025 VAFA Women’s competition, spread across 72 teams and 7 sections:

• William Buck Premier Women’s Seniors & Reserves
• Premier B Women’s
• Divisions 1-4

“We are seeing so many more young players coming straight out of their local junior or school footy programs every year,” said VAFA General Manager Football & Umpiring, Dale Christie.

“We are in a growth phase and still learning about where teams sit in the overall pecking order of the VAFA Women’s competition, so re-grading will be important again this season and we’ll reassess after Round 4 as we continue to work out who belongs where in the bigger picture.

“That’s an ongoing multi-year process and a really important one, because a vital piece of player retention is enabling players to play at a level suited to their experience and skill.

“If players feel comfortable and capable of performing at the level they’re playing at, they’re more likely to enjoy themselves and want to keep coming back the next year. That’s such a great help in growing your playing list and club more broadly.”

The 2025 season will also feature the creation of a brand-new women’s club, Port Melbourne Chargers.

The Chargers will begin in Premier B, fielding a Senior and Reserves team that completes the local ‘Port Melbourne Footy Pathway,’ providing local women with a senior avenue to continue their journey after their junior career.

“We are proud of the growth and reputation of our VAFA Women’s competition, and the greater pathway opportunities it presents to women footballers,” said VAFA Chief Executive Officer, Jason Reddick.

“Beyond the direct positive effect for our women participants, the overall growth has also improved our entire competition.”

“We hear our clubs and players speak glowingly about the enormous positive impact that adding a women’s program has had on their week-to-week environment. It has broadened their player, supporter and sponsor bases and grown the social side of their club. Most importantly, it has helped evolve their culture to reflect general society better.

“Clubs need to be enjoyable places for players to want to come and stick around to make friendships that transcend footy. The more welcoming and inclusive they are, the tighter the bonds that get created.

“Old Scotch won both the William Buck Premier Men’s and Premier Women’s premierships last season and it was fantastic to hear men’s coach Mark Gnatt and women’s coach Dean Anderson both speak independently about the impact that bringing their programs together under a genuine ‘two teams, one club’ model has had on their entire club.

“At the VAFA, we’re about ‘Footy for All,’ and we’ll continue to strive to be as welcoming and inclusive as possible. We want everyone to have a strong connection to our league, and the continued growth and support of our women’s competition is an important part of that.

“Best of luck to everyone pulling on the boots and running out next weekend!”

Round 1 of the VAFA Women’s competition kicks off on Saturday, April 5.