Girls’ footy competition to be launched

SOUTHERN Gippsland Junior Football Competition operations manager Bobbie-Lee Blay is excited to announce the new girls’ AFL competition launching in the 2024 season.

The competition will include matches for U12s and U14s. 

“What an amazing opportunity for our local girls to play in a dedicated girls’ competition. We have been working hard to get this off the ground and are committed to the program’s success,” Bobbie-Lee said.

In 2021, the AFL launched the Women’s Football Vision as a commitment to women’s and girls’ football, incorporating participation, partnerships, pathways and performance.

This enables equal opportunity for women and girls to play, coach, umpire, officiate and govern, as well as providing a participation pathway.

The Southern Gippsland Junior Football Competition is pleased to provide this opportunity for girls to feel empowered and have a sense of belonging in playing and being a part of this awesome game.

“This is an incredible opportunity and one that was not around when I started playing footy,” former St Kilda AFLW player Kelly O’Neill said.

“It’s great to see the growth in girls’ football in the Southern Gippsland area.”

Bobbie-Lee encourages interested girls and parents to reach out to their local clubs to express interest.

These include Leongatha, Wonthaggi, Dalyston, Inverloch-Kongwak, Korumburra-Bena, Kilcunda-Bass and Phillip Island. 

More details will be provided in February.