It’s officially women’s week

AFL Women’s Week and the 2011 Women’s National Championships were launched in Adelaide on Monday.

AFL Women’s Week provides an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the role females play at all levels of Australian football, from participation to administration, volunteering and supporting. Women and girls are essential to the fabric of our game, and have been for over 150 years.

The Sydney Swans will be dedicating some of their match day to women and will show interviews with the NSW state team before they departed for Adelaide. There will also be a female demonstration game played between the first official warm-up and the main game as well as girls only Auskick at halftime.

The Women’s National Championships commenced in Adelaide on Tuesday June 7 and will conclude on Saturday June 11, with the finals played at Gliderol Stadium, Glenelg.

AFL General Manager National and International Development David Matthews said the contribution women and girls make to Australian football is critical to the development of the game.  

“Participation in Youth Girls competitions increased by a staggering 60 per cent in 2010 and a further 18 new competitions will commence this year across all states as a result of participation funding from the Australian Sports Commission. 

“This indicates a genuine appetite for Australian football and the need for structured pathways.  The AFL is committed to developing these pathways and opportunities for women and girls to be involved in Australian football whether it is as a player, umpire, coach, volunteer, administrator or supporter,” Mr Matthews said.

Key women in football statistics include:

• 42 per cent of the viewing audience
• 35 per cent of club members   
• More than 73,400 participants
• 1500 accredited coaches
• More than 700 umpires

2011 Women’s National Championships

The biennial Women’s National Championships provide an opportunity for the nation’s most talented female footballers to represent their state or territory.  This year will be the first truly national competition with the introduction of a team from Tasmania.

These are the twelfth championships and they will be contested under a two division format.

Click here for all of your latest news and scores from the championships.
 
The Debbie Lee Medal will be presented to the Division One best and fairest player and the All-Australian team will be announced after the Division One final.

2011 Women’s National Championship Fixture

Tuesday June 7 – City Mazda Stadium, Richmond
9:00am – 10:40am NSW v ACT
11:00am – 12:40pm WA v VIC
1:45pm – 03:25pm NT v TAS
3:45pm – 05:25pm QLD v SA

Wednesday June 8 – Unleash Solar Oval, Woodville
8:30am – 10:10am NT v ACT
10:30am – 12:10pm WA v QLD
12:30pm – 02:10pm NSW v TAS
2:30pm – 04:10pm VIC v SA

Friday June 10 – Adelaide University Grounds 1 and 2
10:30am – 12:10pm NT v NSW
10:45am – 12:25pm VIC v QLD
12:30pm – 12:10pm NT v NSW
12:45pm – 12:25pm SA v WA

Saturday June 11 – Grand Finals – Gliderol Stadium, Glenelg
9:30am – 11:10am Division 2 GRAND FINAL
11:40am – 11:20pm Division 1 GRAND FINAL

Victoria has won the last three championships.

For more information on female football or to get involved please click here.