Lead your way - frequently asked questions
If you have a question that is not answered in the Program Guide or FAQs below, please reach out to program coordinator Beth Cook via email with the subject line: Lead Your Way Program Enquiry
Beth Cook
Women and Girls Community Football Coordinator - Victoria
Email: elizabeth.cook@afl.com.au
Who is delivering this year's program?
This program has been developed and will be delivered by AFL Victoria and external facilitators/presenters with experience and expertise in the industry and relevant areas.
More detail around individual presentations and speakers/organisations will be closer to the program dates. You will be able to find updated information about presenters on the Lead Your Way landing page, which will be updated as more information becomes available. Further details will be sent to successful applicants directly via email.
What if I am not successful in my application?
Unfortunately, places in this year’s program are strictly limited, and we will not necessarily be able to accommodate all who apply. All applicants – both successful and unsuccessful – will be informed of the outcome of their application by April 5, 2024.
Some applicants may be waitlisted. Should places become available after program offers have been made, those applicants will be contacted directly.
Applicants who are not accepted into the program in 2024 and welcome and encouraged to reapply for future programs and opportunities.
What if my club only has men's teams - can I still apply?
Acceptance into this program is on the merits of your application. not the teams at your club. Women and gender diverse leaders from any Victorian football club are welcome to apply, regardless of the teams or structure of their club.
Why can only certain people apply for this program?
This program has strict eligibility criteria. It has been developed to align with goals of the AFL Women and Girls Action Plan and the AFL Women’s Vision. The Women’s Football Vision objective for participation is striving for equal participation and representation by 2030. This translates into:
• Equal opportunity for women and girls to play, coach, umpire, officiate and govern.
• A participation pathway that best supports the continued development of participants and enables lifelong participation in the game.
How much does the program cost?
This program is funded by AFL Victoria through the Women and Girls Action Plan. There are no fees for participants to attend the education and networking sessions.
What if I need to travel?
Unfortunately, we are not able to fund costs that fall outside of program delivery, such as meals (unless otherwise communicated), travel, parking, or accommodation.
If financial barriers relating to the above may impact your ability to attend, please apply and outline this information in in the final section of your application, as we are committed to facilitating reasonable adjustments to remove barriers to participation where possible. This information will not impact your application.
When will workshops take place? Will I need to take time off work?
This program has been designed to support volunteers who are usually unable to access programs run during business hours and at a cost.
Our program will run entirely outside of regular business house. All online workshops will take place on a weeknight evening while face-to-face sessions are planned for weekend delivery to allow for regional participants to travel with minimal disruption to work.
What additional support is available to participants?
We understand that participants come from diverse backgrounds and circumstances, and we are committed to facilitating reasonable adjustments to remove barriers to participation where possible.
If you require specific adjustments or have cultural safety needs, please include this information in your application so that we may reach out to you to discuss this further if your application is successful.
Your access needs will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and respect and will not influence the assessment of your application.
I live outside of Victoria; can I apply for this program?
This program is only open to Victorian residents. To find out more about the opportunities available through the AFL across other states and territories, please visit your State Footballing bodies state/territory website or reach out to contacts within your league or organization.
I live in a border town. Can I apply for this program?
If you live in a border town and are aligned with a club that is based inside the Victorian border, or aligned with an AFL Victoria Country region, you are eligible to apply for this program.
Can I apply if I am not currently in a position at a community football club?
Though we value and appreciate the contributions of past leaders, they are not eligible for this program. This program is designed for people who are in current leadership positions at community football clubs, who can apply this learning during season 2024.
If you are yet to step into a leadership role at your club, we encourage you to do so and consider applying in future years.
I am a sole parent, is there support for me to attend?
If parental responsibilities present a barrier for you to attend, please apply and outline this information in in the final section of your application, as we are committed to facilitating reasonable adjustments to remove barriers to participation where possible. This information will not impact decisions regarding your application, and we may be in contact to discuss your needs further.
I am a coach/umpire/player leader - Can I apply for this program?
Coaches, umpires, and players who hold dual positions alongside these roles as a senior committee leader are eligible to apply for this program in 2024.
However, this program is not designed for leadership roles outside of those in committee and governance in 2024. Coaches, Umpires, and clubs can seek development and education relevant to their roles through other programs offered through AFL Victoria and the AFL.
To find out more about what is on offer, please ensure that you have agreed to receive communications from the AFL through your LMS and registration profile. Ensure that you have ticked the box that says ‘I wish to receive communications from the AFL and State & Territory Affiliates’.
You can also visit the AFL Victoria website, look out for communications from your league or region, or reach out to your club development representative, and access further resources through the AFL Play and Toyota Club Help websites.
