Women’s increasing influential role in AFL is catching on at the grassroots level.
Since St Monica’s College began offering football for girls two years ago, the sport has grown by about 270 per cent at the school.
More than 100 girls are donning Epping school’s football guernseys for “friendly” games with other schools.
St Monica’s football director Trent Carlson said the school was fielding junior and senior teams and expanding to meet demand.
“This has been one of the most exciting projects I have been involved in as I watch our girls develop their skills and grow as a team,” he said.
“Some of the girls have now joined teams outside of the college to take their AFL further. The program at St Monica’s will continue to be developed to meet this growing demand.”
Earlier this month, Mr Carlson organised a visit by Carlton Football Club players to talk to the girls about elite level skills and training.
The sport’s increasing popularity among female students coincides with an AFL first. On Sunday, Channel Seven broadcast live one of the two AFL sanctioned women’s exhibition matches between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs.
According to AFL research, women’s football at Auskick, under-9 and school level has grown in the past year by about 15 per cent.
