VAFA celebrates International Women’s Day 2026

On International Women’s Day 2026, the VAFA proudly celebrates the extraordinary contribution of women across our Association.

As the home of the largest women’s Australian Rules football competition in the country, the VAFA continues to grow, evolve and champion opportunities for women and girls both on and off the field. 

From administrators, coaches and players to volunteers and umpires, women play a vital role in driving our clubs and strengthening our community. 

In 2025, more than 2,600 women participated in the VAFA competition, with strong growth continuing into the 2026 season. The competition featured over 70 women’s teams across seven divisions, highlighting the scale and strength of women’s football within the VAFA. 

Six clubs celebrated premiership success last season, with Old Scotch, Old Brighton, Glen Eira/Old McKinnon, La Trobe University, St Mary’s Salesian and Westbourne Grammarians proudly taking home premiership flags. 

A significant milestone in 2026 is the launch of a dedicated Under 19 Women’s competition, with eight clubs competing this season. This new pathway reflects the VAFA’s strong commitment to providing safe, inclusive and development-focused environments for emerging footballers. 

In 2025, the VAFA Women’s Representative Team reignited its involvement in representative football, proudly wearing the Big V and securing a strong victory over the Perth Football League at Elsternwick Park. 

In 2026, the representative program continues to expand, with the VAFA travelling to Adelaide in June to face the Adelaide Footy League, marking an exciting new chapter for the program. 

The influence of women within the VAFA extends well beyond the playing field.

In 2026, seven VAFA clubs are led by women Presidents, with a further 10 women serving as Vice Presidents.

In addition, numerous key executive roles including Secretary, Treasurer and Football Operations positions are held by women, reflecting their strong leadership presence across the association. This growing leadership presence reflects the strength, capability and impact of women shaping the future of VAFA clubs. 

Around 60 women were registered in senior and assistant coaching roles in 2025 which is a positive result for the VAFA. 

More than 10 clubs embraced the AFL’s Coach Your Way (Women & Girls exclusive) program, with over 80–90 new Level 1 accredited coaches emerging from these sessions. This initiative has significantly strengthened club coaching pathways and empowered players to step into leadership roles within their own teams. 

Additionally, six VAFA club leaders participated in the AFL’s Lead Your Way Program, gaining valuable education and networking opportunities to further support their clubs and communities. 

Mental health and wellbeing remain a key focus across the competition. In 2025, 14 clubs delivered Tackle Your Feelings sessions and engaged in the TYF themed round. The sessions supported more than 380 women’s players through targeted education and awareness initiatives. 

The VAFA umpire group surpassed the 600-umpire milestone last year, with female participation continuing to rise.

The launch of the VAFA Female Umpire Academy marked another important step forward, celebrating growth and creating further development opportunities. 

A mid-season academy event also featured a session delivered by Live Life Whole, focusing on nutrition, gut health, hydration, skin health and sleep, reinforcing the holistic support available within our community. 

The VAFA also acknowledges the 27 clubs now recognised as AFL Women & Girls Chartered Clubs. This accreditation demonstrates a clear commitment to inclusion, growth and meaningful action to support women and girls within each club environment. 

Today, we also extend our gratitude to the many women who volunteer their time in roles such as team manager, trainer, canteen manager, bar attendant, timekeeper, umpire escort and countless others. Your dedication and passion are the backbone of our clubs, and your contributions do not go unnoticed. 

The 2026 VAFA women’s season officially commences on Saturday, 18 April, and we look forward to another year of growth, opportunity and celebration. 

On International Women’s Day, the VAFA proudly recognises and thanks every woman who contributes to our association and their respective clubs.