In an historic night for the future of women’s football in Victoria, the Victorian Women’s Football League (VWFL) and its clubs voted on Monday night to transfer the governance and management of the VWFL to AFL Victoria from 1 November 2013.
The vote was held at a special general meeting of the VWFL Executive, club delegates and life members, and was the culmination of more than 12 months work between AFL Victoria, the VWFL and a Transition Working Group (TWG).
The TWG was formed in May 2012 to help develop a future competition model for women’s football, and featured representatives from the VWFL Executive, Clubs and Life Members as well as the AFL and AFL Victoria.
The TWG surveyed all VWFL Clubs and considered their responses to formulate a proposed female football competition model for 2014 and beyond.
AFL Victoria General Manager Grant Williams believes the changes are a positive step for women’s football in Victoria.
“The collaborative approach between the organisations has produced an outcome that has been widely supported by current VWFL members which will help further grow and promote women’s football.
“The VWFL Executive, formerly led by Debbie Lee and now by President Naomi Hirst, have worked tirelessly in managing the competition over a number of years, and we would like to recognise and acknowledge their significant contribution,” Williams said.
“AFL Victoria would also like to thank the VWFL and its Clubs for their feedback and input during this process to develop a future model for women’s football in Victoria.”
Part of the restructure will be the establishment of the very first Victorian female State League football competition, which will be developed from Clubs involved within the current VWFL structure.
“This in its self will be a major step for women’s football, and will help further develop the football pathway for women in the State, and enhance such initiatives as the AFL Victoria VWFL Academy,” said Williams.
VWFL President Naomi Hirst believes the change in management for the VWFL will aid the development of women’s football in Victoria.
“I feel that the decision is in the best interests of women's football, and represents a more efficient and effective structure for the future administration of women's football in Victoria.
“The considerable expertise and resources of AFL Victoria will provide invaluable support and guidance in managing the growth of football for all females into the future,” Hirst said.
“I am very pleased that the overwhelming majority of VWFL member votes were in support of this decision, as it creates ownership of the decision - and therefore the future direction of the game - to the clubs and other members that make up the VWFL.
“We know that AFL Victoria will build on the amazing work that has been done almost solely by volunteers running female football competition in Victoria since the formation of the VWFL in 1981.
“Together with the current Executive we are excited about the possibilities for the future of women's football, and are looking forward to continuing our work with AFL Victoria in this transition period.”
The VWFL will continue to manage all open age female football competitions until its hand over to AFL Victoria on November 1.
Last Modified on 15/07/2013 13:33