27/07/2018
Sandringham FC’s journey to establish a VFLW side gained momentum on Wednesday night with the female football forum taking place at ‘Sandy by the Bay’. There was a fantastic turn out with great energy in the room and support by the local community was on display.
The attendees included club board, support staff, players, league officials, club officials, local players and other key stakeholders.
Sandringham FC Board member, Jo Kwok, opened the evening. Jo explained the purpose of the forum was to communicate Sandringham FC’s intent to enable and create pathways for women in AFL and our sporting community. The club is looking to foster opportunities to change the game, not just for female players but also coaches and ancillary staff - for those that are currently involved with the sport and women of future generations.
There was a fantastic line up of speakers:
- Sandringham FC CEO David Cannizzo.
- AFL Victoria Female Football Manager Darren Flanigan;
- St Kilda Head of Women's Football Pathways/VFLW Senior Coach Peta Searle;
- Bayside City Council Recreation & Events Coordinator Sara Townsend; and
- St Kilda great Nathan Burke.
Sandringham FC CEO, David Cannizzo, touched on the club’s strategic plan and where women’s footy fits in, the women’s working party and how they have formed to drive the strategy and process, as well as the timeline of events looking towards the near future.
AFL Victoria Female Football Manager, Darren Flanigan, spoke about the rise of female football teams around the country in the last 3-4 years, as well as the growing pathways available to girls now starting at Auskick ages.
St Kilda Head of Women's Football Pathways/VFLW Senior Coach, Peta Searle, spoke about her experience as the inalgural Southern Saints Senior Coach and where, if granted, the Sandringham Zebras VFLW team could fit in the pathway to and AFLW career for aspiring women’s footballers.
Bayside City Council Recreation & Events Coordinator, Sara Townsend, spoke about the influx of female participation in sports in the Bayside region and what the Council have done to best meet this high demand. Sara discussed the need for all pavilions to be female friendly throughout Bayside and how council have designed an improvement plan to make this happen over the next 9 years.
St Kilda champion, Nathan Burke, spoke about his time spent coaching young aspiring female footballers and how important it is for them to have the opportunity fulfil their dreams of playing the game of AFL. He passionately spoke about being a good ‘teacher’ of the game, touching on 4 key C’s, capability, confidence, care and connectedness. We are sure to see the skills and quality of women’s footy skyrocket with the right tutorage.
The speakers acknowledged that it is an extremely exciting time to be involved in the female football space due to enormous participation growth through Auskick, junior football and senior football. Leagues such as South Metro Junior Football League (SMJFL), Southern Football Netball League (SFNL) & Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) have really shown the way at community levels in providing great opportunity for women in footy. Sandringham is hoping to create an equal, diverse and welcoming environment and enable another pathway for young aspiring women footballers.
View the presentation from the night here!