The Northern Football League, in partnership with AFL Victoria, will establish a senior women’s football competition in 2017.
The league is hoping to run two senior divisions in its inaugural season.
AFL Victoria will assist the NFL to achieve this by offering the option for existing VWFL clubs from the northern metropolitan and surrounding areas to transfer into the NFL.
A second division will be formed to provide an entry-level competition for new women’s teams that are created by NFL clubs, the VFL and with the assistance of AFL Victoria.
Chief executive officer Peter McDougall said the NFL was dedicated to expanding its female football program, with support from AFL Victoria.
“The Northern Football League is committed to growing female football in the northern region of Melbourne,” McDougall said.
“With the launch of a senior women’s competition and plans for an under-10 girls competition, we will be the only community football league in Australia to provide female footballers a pathway from Auskick through to senior football.
“With support from AFL Victoria, 2017 will be an exciting year for female footballers in the NFL.”
The NFL first introduced a Youth Girls football competition in 2011.
That competition has since developed into four female junior competitions at the under-18, under-16, under-14 and under-12 age groups.
Working with AFL Victoria and the Carlton Football Club, the NFL also established a girls’ football development program this year – which is being run throughout the school holidays.
The league is now seeking expressions of interest from clubs who wish to field a senior women’s team in the NFL next season.
For more information please contact the NFL office on 9435 8228.
