Indigenous female footballers in Victoria will now have the opportunity to showcase their skills in a newly established Koorie Female Football Carnival.
The Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Ltd (VACSAL) and AFL Victoria’s Koorie Female Football Carnival will encourage more Indigenous women to play competitive football.
Modelled from the previously established VASCAL Male Koorie Football Carnival, the new female competition will act as a talent identification platform for the recently announced AFL Victoria and Korin Gamadji Institute’s Boomirul Program, which engages with Indigenous female footballers aged 16-20.
Eight representative sides will be chosen from across the state to participate in the two-day round robin event which will be held at Punt Road Oval from November 25-26.
AFL Victoria’s Indigenous Programs Manager, Aaron Davey, said the new carnival was one that would assist with creating more opportunities for Indigenous females to engage with AFL.
“We’re very excited to launch the new Koorie Female Football Carnival which is a significant milestone for the Indigenous community in Victoria,” Davey said.
“To have an Indigenous carnival specifically created for women to play our sport shows how far female football has come and is a fantastic achievement for Indigenous women to be recognised in our game.
“Not only will it create the next step in the talent pathway for Indigenous women in Victoria, but we hope the carnival will inspire them to continue their ongoing involvement with AFL and acknowledge them for the massive role they play within our great game.
“The Koorie Female Football Carnival is special in many ways and is well supported by VicHealth and the Korin Gamadji Institute who have been fantastic supporters for Indigenous women in our community.”
