The Western Football Netball League is set to develop a women and girls football growth strategy.
Through funding from AFL Victoria, the WFNL have enlisted the services of former AFL player and AFLW Western Bulldogs coach and now leadership consultant Nathan Burke to lead the development of the strategy.
“The WFNL is extremely proud of our women and girls programs and our member clubs who have delivered high quality environments and competitions for the western metropolitan area of Melbourne for many years now,” the league said.
“The game is still in great shape with introductory and junior girls’ program and participation numbers at healthy levels.
“However, it is well known that the WFNL senior women’s competitions have suffered from decline in club and team numbers in the past few seasons.
“This project will offer the WFNL and our member clubs the opportunity to thoroughly review our current situation and to develop a plan to address any areas of decline that will see an increase in club and team numbers from 2026 onwards.”
The league said the aims of developing the strategy include to engage women and girls to gain much needed feedback on all of its programs to improve its competition structures, development programs, clubs and league.
The strategy will aim to enhance the understanding of gender equity practices within WFNL and to see more women in leadership roles within our member clubs and support its current female leaders.
The league wants to see more female coaches and to ensure the sustainability of all current clubs and increase the number of female teams.
The league plans to host a workshop forum led by Burke for all club officials and player representatives to attend and provide it with feedback on its current female football programs.
Surveys will be given to all participants and clubs to provide feedback into the development of the strategy.
