KEEP WALKING BOLDLY
IN HER BOOTS

A trailblazer of the game, initiating the formation of a women’s football team through a news advert. Lynn’s efforts led to the formation of the VWFL foundation league in 1981. Going on to be one of the league’s oldest players retiring from football in 2019 at 65.

A pioneer of women’s football in QLD, Karen tried vehemently to establish a women’s competition in the mid 1980s. The scrapbooks she made & the media interest in her efforts were used many years later to inspire future generations reminding them how far women’s AFL had come.

A founding driver, Helen was a legend of the game. She’s credited as a driving force of the VWFL’s formation in 1981. Helen only got to play for 2 seasons before injury brought an end to her on-field career. Turning to administration, becoming the VFLW president for years to come.

Founder of the WA Women’s Football League, Jo has been a pivotal voice & force in women’s football for over 35 years. Laying the foundations for the WAWFL, Jo helped to create relationships with the affiliated men’s club ensuring the WAWFL would thrive for years to come.

A true pioneer of the game, Barb was both a player & key organiser of the AFL Women’s National Championship from 1992-2015, prior to the establishment of the league. With the Hampson-Hardeman Cup named in honour of her contribution to the game, as an inspiration to generations of players.

Belinda lives & breathes footy. The Victorian football pioneer & Port Melbourne Colts Masters’ player-coach has played over 400 games in a playing career spanning over 30 years.

Former player & now coach, Narelle has passion for both the game & empowering other women to pursue their coaching dreams. An enormous part of the push to create a national league for the AFLW continuing to fight for opportunities for women to step into leadership roles within the AFLW.

First ever woman to be inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame for work both on & off the field. A playing career spanning over 300 games combined & more than 3 decades of leadership within the VWFL, Debbie has played a crucial role in establishing the AFLW competition.

Kicking off a much-needed conversation, Sal first rose to infamy becoming the 1st woman to nominate herself to the AFL Draft in 1995. Knowing she’d never make a team, Sal started a heated debate about women’s right to play, proving a long-time advocate for the AFLW since its inception.

From pushing for her right to play to battling a brain tumour, Shannon has overcome adversity at every turn. Starting her AFL journey at 9 playing for the local boys’ team, Shannon has played over 200 games in the VWFL & is currently a member of the AFL/AFLW tribunal panel.

As a founding member of the Sydney Women's AFL League, Melinda began her football journey in 2000. She was instrumental in recruiting players to join the Sydney University Women's Club. Coaching the country’s most up & coming players, proving pivotal in shaping the next gen. of players.

With over 30 years involvement as a player & coach, Kerry has been a constant within women’s AFL. A former international cricketer, she made the switch to AFL never looking back. Her passion for the game evident in everything she does, particularly in the development of younger players.

A player with heart, Kate had to overcome significant health issues to make her dream of playing AFL a reality. Receiving a pacemaker at just 11 years old, Kate has never let her health issues hold her back as she went on to play for the Brisbane Lions as well as the All-Australian Team.

A game-changer on & off the field, Kara was an inaugural player for the Fremantle Football Club as well as being the team’s captain. Having been an inspiration for the team since its inception, Kara retired on 47 AFLW games after returning from hamstring surgery to play one final game. 

Involved in the AFL for over 15 years, Libby has been a pivotal force in growing the game to where it is today, continuing to walk it further. Having led the establishment of the AFLW programme at Greater Western Sydney, she now continues to advocate for women within her role at Sports NSW.

A 3-time premiership captain & multiple all Australian team member, Chelsea was awarded Most Courageous Player of the AFLW for an incredible 5 years of the competition. Now a role model in her fulltime position as Development Coach with the Adelaide Football Club men's AFL program.

A role model to many, Kirby has been a force to be reckoned with since she stepped on the field. A talented netballer, she made the switch to AFLW going on to play for Fremantle & Carlton, as well as establish the Kirby Bentley Cup – a tournament for Aboriginal & Torres Strait girls.

Standing for the right for women to play since she was young, challenging the legal system to push girls to be able play past 12 years of age. Playing for Collingwood & coach in both the AFLW & VFLW programs, she led the VFLW Magpies to the minor premiership being named Coach of the Year.

From playing recreationally as a young girl to being drafted by Carlton, Katie made her AFLW debut in 2017, in the inaugural match at Ikon Park. During her incredible career, she was crowned best & fairest in the 2018 season, then named captain of the club before retiring after 45 games.

Recently retired from the Brisbane Lions, Emma ended her career the 2021 AFLW Premiership Captain, Emma led her team to 3 grand finals in 5 years. She now continues her legacy as Head coach for the Brisbane Lions Academy - Female programs continuing to shape the future of women’s football.

Assistant coach for Port Adelaide, Sam was recruited by the Brisbane Lions in the 2016 draft making her debut in 2017. A credit to the game, she was nominated by her teammates for the 2017 AFLW Players' most valuable player award helping lead the team to the first AFLW Grand Final.

A household name, Erin is one of the most recognisable faces in women’s sport. Representing Australia in her career as an international basketballer, Erin crossed codes to the AFLW in 2017 to play for the Adelaide Crows. Now a member of the inaugural Port Adelaide AFLW captaining the team.