Goddard named Football Woman of the Year
Canberra’s Bec Goddard has been named the 2017 Football Woman of the Year.
Goddard was presented the award at the annual Fujitsu General Grand Final Comedy Debate in front of more than 1,000 guests at Crown Palladium today.
Goddard is the 21st woman to win the award, and in doing so joins a long list of talented and influential women who have made a significant contribution to the game.
After an injury halted her 10-year playing career, Goddard made the move into umpiring and coaching in the AFL Canberra League.
Goddard took the reins of the Adelaide AFL Women’s side in 2016, leading them to the inaugural Premiership at age 39.
Remarkably, during her time with the Crows, Goddard has still maintained a full time job with the Australian Federal Police.
Rounding out a big year for the Football Woman of the Year, Goddard also coached the Under 18s Allies team in their first AFLW State of Origin match this year.
Goddard has played a significant role in AFL over a number of years, helping ensure the AFL Women’s competition was an overwhelming success in 2017.
Her role as a female Senior Coach has given her a profile that has allowed her to encourage other women to strive for greatness.
Presented by the Essendon Women’s Network (EWN), the Football Woman of the Year Award has become one of the most coveted accolades in the game.
Essendon Women’s Network Chair, Jane Grover praised Bec for her endless efforts in leading by example, striving for equality in the football industry.
“Bec is a woman that leads from the front, displays moral courage, and continues to influence the entire football community around equity, fairness and inclusion,” Grover said.
“For so many young women, Bec represents choice, inclusion and respect which is the cornerstone of giving everyone a fair go, and mirrors our multi-cultural Australian community.”
Past winners of the Football Woman of the Year Award include Susan Alberti, Jan Cooper, Peta Searle, Caroline Wilson and Jennie Loughnan.
