The North West Football League, alongside its clubs and umpire association have become the first region in Australia to achieve a major milestone in women’s footy.
Launched nationally in 2024, The Women & Girls Community Football Charter is a commitment from Community Football Leagues, Clubs & Umpire Groups to work towards making Community Football environments welcoming, safe and inclusive for Women and girls.
This charter sets out the expectation that clubs and associations will champion women and girls guided by four principles: opportunity, visibility, access and investment.
In a national first, Tasmania’s Northwest has become the first region where the league (NWFL), Umpire Association (NWUA) and all affiliated clubs have become signatories of the Charter.
AFL Tasmania Women and Girls Lead Sophie Wheeler said with the number of women and girls playing, coaching, officiating and administering football on the rise, it’s vital that clubs and associations do their part to create environments where everyone feels welcome, supported, and valued.
“The Women & Girls Community Football Charter is an effective way for clubs and associations to take a pulse check on how inclusive their current environments are, and use these insights to develop simple, tangible actions that move them closer to gender equity.
“It's fantastic to see the North West get behind the Charter and commit to some really positive initiatives, such as Ulverstone FC naming a perpetual club values award after drafted ex-player Meghan Gaffney, Latrobe FC hosting a Coach Your Way session to upskill women at their club into coaching roles, and Penguin FC introducing an all-girls Auskick group that has helped skyrocket their girls numbers."
Wheeler is throwing the challenge out to clubs to ensure everyone can take part in our great game.
“No matter where you're starting from or how many women or girls you have in your community, I'd encourage all clubs and associations across Tasmania to jump on board with the Charter and formalise your commitment to not only strengthening your own club but helping to create a more sustainable football community for everyone.”
Devonport Football Club were the first NWFL club to sign the charter and have hit the ground running on their goals.
This season they have introduced an Under 14 Girls team and are focused on providing women at their club with ongoing coaching opportunities, recently hosting a Coach Your Way workshop with 14 current and aspiring female coaches in attendance.
Devonport Football Club Director of Female Football, Emma Hazlewood says it’s an exciting time at the club.
“We identified that our women’s program needed more professional pathways, and we jumped straight into some programs that AFL Tasmania offered and it’s been instrumental to the club.
“We’ve worked hard to ensure we have diverse leadership within our club, and many of our Senior women’s players have now taken on coaching roles and training roles.
“I encourage people to try new initiatives like Women in Leadership programs and Gender Equity Education Workshops and embrace the knowledge that comes from those programs and see how much it benefits your club.”
North West Football League President Garry Carpenter said this is a momentous milestone for the region.
“The clubs have embraced where we want to go as a league and make sure we’re inclusive and open to everyone.
“It’s great to see female directors in football programs and there are now more opportunities for women to step up and take on leadership positions across the league.
“If you walk into any club at the moment, close to 50% of volunteers, coaches and support staff are women. This charter has opened the doors to equality and we’re proud to be the first in Australia to reach this milestone.”
Clubs and associations can register their interest in becoming a signatory of the W&G Charter via the online form. Chartered clubs receive:
- A Women & Girls Community Football Charter certificate that can be publicly displayed in your association acknowledging your commitment.
- Correspondence on women and girls’ initiatives, grants, and opportunities.
- Favourable consideration when assessing applications for AFL-based funding initiatives that relate to women and girls.
- Recognition via the AFL Play website with an opportunity for your League, Club or Umpire Group to be showcased.
- A suite of digital assets that can be used on your own website, socials, and advertising.