Trainor blazing a trail for women in AFL
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 17: Incoming AFL Commissioners Gabrielle Trainor (left) and Andrew Newbold pose for a photograph with outgoing commissioner Sam Mostyn at the Captains Lunch during the 2016 AFL Captains Day at AFL House in Melbourne on March 17, 2016. (Photo: Adam Trafford/AFL Media)
It’s clear women’s football is kicking goals in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
The region is pushing for a team in next year’s inaugural national women’s competition and the opening chapter to that journey took place last Saturday afternoon when the first ever female footy game was staged at the SCG between the Sydney Swans and GWS GIANTS Academies.
But the women’s game is not only making huge strides on the field, women continue to make significant inroads off the field as well.
Gabrielle Trainor recently became the AFL’s fourth woman commissioner after making a substantial contribution to the code sitting on the AFL NSW/ACT Commission before becoming a founding member of the GWS GIANTS Board.
Gabrielle has an impressive and diverse professional background which includes time spent as a lawyer, journalist and public sector executive.
Footy is in her blood, her grandfather and father were Presidents of North Melbourne for a total of 22 years.
She’s not only a mover and shaker at board level but she’s also got her hands dirty in grassroots footy volunteering for the Willoughy Wildcats in the Sydney AFL juniors competition
Even her spare time is spent at local footy grounds.
She’s frequently spotted on the NSW South Coast supporting her niece and Auskicker Isabella Clowes running around for the Kiama Power.
While Gabrielle barracks for the Kiama Power, her allegiance will remain steadfast tomorrow when she heads to Manuka to cheer her beloved GWS GIANTS against Port Adelaide Power.
