Gippsland Umpires Association's Jess Mills recently featured in an all-female umpiring panel to officiate at the Worawa Reconciliation Sports Carnival, where hundreds of students participated in football, netball and fun.
With the umpiring panel selected by AFL Victoria, all women officiating are taking part in Academy programs on the talent pathway, hoping to follow in the footsteps of their counterparts at the elite level.
With Chelsea Roffey and Rose O’Dea shining the light for female goal umpires, the recent debut of Eleni Glouftsis gives further hope for aspiring field umpires.
And with the recent creation of the AFLW elite competition, gender diversity is at a boon in the sport.
Held in Reconciliation Week, the carnival brings children from all over Melbourne together to participate in one pastime which brings everyone together – sport.
The day provided a rare opportunity for community, partner schools, friends and supporters to visit Victoria’s only Aboriginal community school and to come together in the true spirit of Reconciliation.
The day started with a traditional smoking ceremony and welcome to country.
The Louisa Briggs Memorial Shield football match was one of the highlights of the day.
Worawa Aboriginal College provides a holistic education and boarding experience for young aboriginal women in middle years of schooling (years 7 to 10) who come from aboriginal communities in urban and remote Australia.
Worawa has teamed with the AFL to create the Worawa AFL Sports Academy.
The Academy program includes sports other than football ranging from team sports to individual fitness development and outdoor recreational pursuits. The Worawa AFL Sports Academy emphasises enjoyment, however student’s individual skills are also identified and developed.
Last Modified on 01/06/2017 13:41