The Northern Football League women’s competition is abuzz, with 19 teams wanting action in the new competition.
Twelve existing women’s sides will play in the NFL next season, including several from outside the northern area.
NFL clubs Diamond Creek and South Morang will play, joined by existing Bendigo, Chirnside Park, Darebin, Deer Park, Kew, La Trobe Uni, Melbourne Uni 1, Pascoe Vale, VU Western Spurs and Whitehorse teams.
The league also has six other NFL clubs wanting to field women’s sides for the first time – Bundoora, Epping, Laurimar, Watsonia, West Preston-Lakeside and Whittlesea.
Montmorency previously fielded a side, and has also expressed interest.
NFL chief executive Peter McDougall said the women’s competition is a natural progression after restructuring junior competitions in 2016.
“As well as managing the senior women’s competition, the NFL will also look to conduct an under-10 girls competition, along with the existing under-12, under-14, under-16 and under-18 competitions,” he said.
“This structure will allow females, like males, to play football with one club, from Auskick right through to seniors.”
The new competition will be one of several across the state as the Victorian Women’s Football League is integrated into community league structures.
AFL Victoria announced last week that the existing 60 sides, along with all new sides, will play in 10 local competitions next year.
AFL Victoria chief executive Steven Reaper said the extraordinary growth in women’s football across all levels has enabled community leagues to launch their own female competitions.
“Since 2015, we have experienced a growth of 100 new female teams each season, which is an indication of the sheer enormity behind Australia’s fastest growing sport,” he said.
“Localised resources will now also help further develop the game in each region.”
Essendon District Football League will also have a competition next season – and at least three new clubs, Glenroy, Craigieburn and Keilor, are set to join.
The EDFL will also have its own youth league competition; previously it was combined with Western Region Football League.
