Women's Health

Players who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or caring for a child have every right to participate in Australian Football.

Regular exercise during pregnancy offers significant health and wellbeing benefits. However, each pregnancy is unique, and decisions around participation should be made based on individual circumstances in consultation with a qualified medical professional.

Section 20 of the National Community Football Policy Handbook outlines the responsibilities of both players and clubs in relation to the participation of Players who are pregnant or postpartum. This includes:

• The Player obtaining written confirmation from an Obstetrician or General Practitioner (GP) supporting the Player’s participation including the doctor’s opinion on risks with participating and whether it safe for the Player and their unborn baby based on their individual circumstances (including for how long and whether there are any modifications required).
• The Player undertaking regular review with their Obstetrician or General Practitioner (GP) and updating their advice in line with the physiological and anatomic changes to the pregnant Player and their unborn baby.
• The Player must not participate if written confirmation has not been obtained or if regular review has not been undertaken (as outlined above).

Breast injuries can occur during Australian Football through tackling, falls, or direct contact with other players. They may also result from running or jumping, particularly when breasts are not adequately supported. Proper support and awareness can help reduce discomfort and lower the risk of injury.

Players who sustain a contact injury to the breast are strongly encouraged to report it to their club medical personnel (e.g. trainer, first aider or physio) or to their GP to make sure it is managed optimally.

To reduce the risk of injury, Players should ensure that their breasts are adequately supported for running and jumping – especially for women with larger breasts. There are a range of online resources such as bra.edu.au that can assist in finding a sports bra to provide optimal support.

Regular breast checks are also recommended for all adult women.

If a player chooses to wear breast protectors, they should ensure that they fit well over the sports bra, are comfortable and don’t restrict movement.

Many female athletes experience pelvic floor symptoms but may assume they’re normal and avoid seeking help. This may include:

• Urinary urgency (i.e. needing to rush to the toilet)
• Urinary incontinence (i.e. leaking urine when running or jumping)
• Pain during sexual intercourse

Many of these symptoms can be effectively managed with the right exercises and treatment plans. Players are encouraged to speak with a medical professional to ensure their symptoms are addressed and their performance isn’t compromised.

Other helpful resources include:

• AIS – Female Performance and Health Initiative Resources on Pelvic Health for Female Athletes
• AIS – Female Performance and Health Initiative Module on Pelvic Health for Female Athletes