AFL Victoria is celebrating the successful delivery of the inaugural Lead You Way program, aimed at supporting women and gender diverse people who hold current leadership positions as a volunteer at a community football club.
Lead Your Way is an AFL Women & Girls Game Development Action Plan initiative that aims to progress the skills and network of leaders in community football across a series of development and networking events.
The program, delivered by AFL Victoria, is tailored to support senior leaders at club committee, board or executive level - primarily club presidents or future club presidents - with the goal to improve retention of women in leadership roles through activities designed to improve their capability, confidence, and form a strong, supportive network in community football.
The program also assists in improving the capability of volunteers across the Victorian community clubs represented by participants in this program, by providing participants with information, resources and support to take back to their clubs to improve the environments and experiences of players, coaches, and volunteers.
To be selected for the program, applicants were asked to submit an online application at the beginning of the year detailing their role and responsibilities as a volunteer in community football, their eligibility for the program, and the reasons why they wanted to be a part of the program, including: their personal leadership goals in their current role, and future goals for their club or their role in community sport.
This year, the Lead Your Way program welcomed 54 leaders from across the state, with nearly half of the participants hailing from regional clubs. The diverse group of participants included a broad spectrum of club roles, with 25 club presidents among those selected, as well as secretaries, treasurers, operations managers, and women's football managers.
Applicants in 2024 were endorsed by their league or regions, with many encouraged to apply by region mangers, CEOs or Club Development Leads based on their existing work.
Participants from the 2024 program will remain a part of the Lead Your Way network, which will continue to grow year-on-year, and provide a supportive group for women and gender-diverse leaders in football.
For women and gender-diverse leaders interested in the 2025 Lead Your Way program, applications are now open.
Click here to apply for 2025 now!
More information will become available on AFL Victoria channels over the coming weeks.
Congratulations to the 54 participants in the 2024 Lead Your Way program:
The program involved three in-person sessions in Victoria and was supported by two national online workshops in partnership with BHP.
Lead Your Way (AFL Victoria):
Session 1: Online Education Workshop - May 2024
- The AFL Women’s Football Vision and Women and Girls Action Plan presented by AFL Women & Girls Community Football Manager Emily Hopkins
- AFL Victoria support for clubs presented by Club Development & Experience Manager (AFL Victoria) Paul Milo
- AFL Club Help: How to access resources, education, information and support as a club volunteer Presented by AFL Community Club & Volunteer Lead Rhys Bennett
- Networking, questions, conversation and support
Session 2: The Lead Your Way Development Day - July 2024
- Greg Madigan, Head of AFL Victoria
- Strategy, Problem Solving, and strategic communications Workshop with the AFL Strategy Team
- Facilities presentation and Q&A Session with Jessie Doull, Venue & Government Partnerships Manager - AFL Victoria
- A wellbeing session delivered by AFLW and State League & Talent Pathways Umpiring Programs Performance - Psychologist and Kelly Doherty
- Key note address and Q&A with AFL Life Member and Hall of Famer Debbie Lee
- Professional head shots for all attendees
- Networking
Session 3: The Lead Your Way Celebration and Networking Event
Held at Bodriggy Brew House in Abbotsford with program participants and invited guests including football industry leaders.
With two panels hosted by Debbie Lee featuring St Kilda Football Club AFLW Captain and Education Lead at STK Education Hannah Priest, Collingwood Football Club Executive General Manager Community, Foundation and Stadia Kerrie Brewer, and Western Bulldogs Head of Marketing and Brand Anthea Hargreaves.
Following the event attendees attending the AFLW Pride Round match between Collingwood and Adelaide at Victoria Park.
BHP Women's Leadership Series:
All Victorian participants in Lead Your Way were also invited to be part of two national AFL events presented in partnership with BHP.
Session 1: The BHP Women's Leadership Webinar
- Presented by gold medal-winning netballer, leadership mentor and media presenter Bianca Chatfield for the "Bringing People on the Journey" on-line session.
- Explored how to create momentum and authentically lead people to influence and make change.
- How to lead in your own style, whilst influencing others, how to empower others to lead change, and how to create momentum that people want to be a part of.
Session 2: 2024 BHP Think Big Community Forum
TOPIC: The Future is Clear
- Topics covered include women leadership and empowerment, resilience, finance and forging your own path
- Hosted by Nat Edwards with
- Carol Fox: Communication & Leadership Expert
- Effie Zahos: Chief Content Officer for Investment Money Expert