Firsts for Vic with female and umpiring milestones reached

As the local football season comes into the home stretch across most of the state, a significant milestone has been reached with Victoria recording 1000 registrations for females in both coaching and umpiring in local football, a first for the game.

Reaching 1,000 female coaches and 1,000 female umpires in Victoria is a landmark achievement, with both categories up around 20 per cent year-on-year. It's testament to the dedication and passion of so many fuelling the growth of women's football and shows how far the game has come since the inception of AFLW in 2017.

The surge in female coaching has been helped by programs such as Coach Your Way and the BHP Female Coaching Academy, which have played pivotal roles in nurturing new coaches and bridging the gap for younger participants. By focusing on both entry-level and advanced training, these programs ensure that women have a pathway to grow and develop in the coaching sphere.

The introduction of female-only coaching courses and webinars tailored to recruitment and retention highlight a nuanced understanding of the unique challenges faced by women in coaching roles. The feedback-driven approach of these initiatives reflects a commitment to continuous improvement and inclusivity.

The new NAB AFL Auskick Coordinator to Coach Program, which recently contributed to the milestone of 1,000 female coaches, is aimed at expanding the coaching pool at the grassroots level. Funded by Sport and Recreation Victoria and set as a four-year project, this program is crucial for sustaining and building on the current momentum.

On the umpiring side, there has not been a better time to be involved with the bolstered pathway and support available to umpires at all levels, including Community Umpire Accelerator Program and Community Umpire Coach Development Program Academy.

Linking community umpires and coaches with state league and talent pathway programs, these initiatives will help to elevate individuals as they strive to further their career in umpiring, while also encouraging them to take their learnings back to their community umpiring groups.

The AFL’s $5 million investment in the Women and Girls Action Plan is a significant commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment in football. This financial support, coupled with strategic programs and dedicated resources, ensures that women and girls are not only participating but are also shaping the future of the sport.

The Women and Girls Action Plan is part of the AFL's Women's Football Vision, which strives for equal participation and representation in community football by 2030.

The learn about becoming an umpire and umpiring programs/resources, visit play.afl/umpire

To learn more about becoming a coach and coaching programs/resources, visit play.afl/coach