THE AFL wishes to advise the Women’s Football Advisory Group held its inaugural meeting tonight at AFL House in Melbourne. 

The group received a briefing of the preparations for a national women’s competition to date from the AFL General Manager Game and Market Development, Simon Lethlean. 

Chair of the Women’s Football Advisory Group,  Major Gen Simone Wilkie said that the group was looking forward to working with the Game Development team and other areas of the AFL on establishing the new women’s league. 

“The advisory group has a broad range of experience, and we look forward to bringing that experience to the AFL in the months ahead, for guidance and feedback,” Major Gen Wilkie said. 

“We are very pleased with the level of interest and commitment from the Clubs, and delighted that the women’s game is generating so much support and interest.”  

The Women’s Football Advisory Group will meet three times a year, or when required.  

Women’s Football Advisory Group 

Major Gen Simone Wilkie – Chair and AFL Commissioner

Libby Gorr – media commentator             

Debbie Lee – past player and stateswoman of female football                   

Susan Alberti – Western Bulldogs board member 

Michelle Cowan – Melbourne Football Club assistant coach

Craig Starcevich – AFL Queensland female football talent manager 

Holly Ransom – Port Adelaide Football Club board member

Jane Woodlands-Thompson – SANFL commission

Xavier Clarke – NT Thunder coach

Darcy Vescio – VFL Womens player 

The AFL will launch a national women’s competition in early 2017. 

Last Friday April 29 the AFL received 13 submissions from AFL clubs to field a women’s team. 

This year a series of women’s exhibition matches have been played featuring players who were members of state-based talent academies.

Results of matches already played:

Western Bulldogs defeated Melbourne on March 6

South Australia Blue defeated South Australia Red on April 12

Sydney Swans defeated GWS Giants on April 9

West Coast defeated Fremantle on April 9

Northern Territory defeated Tasmania on April 10

Brisbane Lions defeated Gold Coast Suns on April 16

Remaining matches: 

Sunday May 22

Melbourne v Queensland at the MCG, 10.40am

Sunday June 5 

Western Bulldogs v Western Australia at Etihad Stadium, 12.40pm

South Australia v New South Wales at Adelaide Oval, 1.10pm

Hampson-Hardeman Cup

Saturday September 3

Western Bulldogs v Melbourne at venue tbc, 7.20pm