The addition of nine new clubs will headline the release of AFL Victoria's VWFL competition 2015 fixtures over the next fortnight.
The inclusion of AJAX, Bacchus Marsh, Bullen Templestowe, Endeavour Hills, Fitzroy ACU, Gippsland, Kyneton, Rosebud and Seville will see a 30% increase in the number of teams in the competition.
A record 52 sides will take to the field across seven divisions this season, in what will be an event filled year for the competition and its players.
State football is back on the calendar on the Queen’s Birthday weekend, with Victoria heading to WA to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first women's football competition played in Australia, while a second Victorian team will host NSW on the same weekend.
The VWFL will again host the ADF on ANZAC Day weekend, and there will be two AFL Women's Exhibition games between Melbourne and Western Bulldogs in May and August with nominations having just opened.
AFL Victoria Female Football Manager Darren Flanigan believes it will be an exciting year ahead for the VWFL with large growth and a number of feature games set to increase exposure outside of the regular home and away rounds.
“The developing pathway from Youth Girls to senior women’s football is stronger than ever, highlighted by the overwhelming number of new clubs for 2015.
“The addition of new clubs means there are more opportunities for women to play the game than ever before,” Flanigan said.
“We have also seen growth in existing clubs, with two clubs this year - St Kilda and Melbourne Uni - to field three sides across the divisions, and a further nine clubs will field two teams this year including new side Endeavour Hills.
“Adding another division this year will also help clubs find a level of competition that suits them when they join the VWFL.”
The addition of teams like Gippsland shows the increased interest in women’s football outside of the traditional metropolitan reach of the VWFL competition.
“It is pleasing to see the growth of the game in regional areas, with the competition to spread from Gippsland to Bendigo across Victoria, providing more exposure for women’s football in country areas."
One of the highlights on the calendar that will be announced as part of the Premier division fixture release will be the first VWFL game to be played in Wangaratta, which is a joint initiative from AFL Victoria, North East Border Commission and Darebin Falcons.
“The Darebin Falcons and Eastern Devils should be congratulated for taking women’s football to the region, and the support of the North East Border Commission has been integral to this game being fixtured.
“It will be great to see players like 2014 Helen Lambert Medallist (Premier best and fairest) Daisy Pearce from Bright and her premiership teammate Darcy Vescio from Wangaratta return to their local region to play a match for competition points.”
In pleasing news for the VWFL, key partners in Melbourne FC, CFA and Cottons will all return in 2015.
“These brands and great supporters of women’s football, and their continued partnerships with the competition play a big part in its growth and exposure.”
Premier and division one will begin on Sunday April 12, with the remaining divisions to kick off on the weekend of April 18.
Stays tuned to the VWFL website for the release of the 2015 fixtures:
Premier, Division 1,2 & 3: Friday February 13
All other divisions: Week of February 23
See below the 2015 division structure:
Premier |
Division 1 |
Division 2 |
Darebin |
Bendigo |
La Trobe Uni |
Diamond Creek |
Cranbourne |
Montmorency |
Eastern Devils |
Darebin |
Pascoe Vale |
Melbourne Uni |
Diamond Creek |
Port Melbourne Colts |
St Kilda |
Eastern Devils |
Redan |
VU St Albans |
Knox |
VU St Albans |
|
Melbourne Uni |
Whitehorse |
|
Nth Geelong |
|
|
St Kilda |
|
|
Seaford |
|
|
|
|
Division 3 |
Division 4 |
Division Structures TBC |
Bayswater |
Brunswick |
AJAX |
Cranbourne |
Chirnside Park |
Bacchus Marsh |
Deer Park |
Fitzroy ACU |
Bulleen Templestowe |
Endeavour Hills |
Hallam |
Endeavour Hills |
Kew |
Melbourne Uni |
Gippsland |
Mordialloc |
Port Melbourne Colts |
Jacana |
Seaford |
South Morang |
Knox |
St Kilda |
|
Kyneton |
|
|
Manor Lakes |
|
|
Melton |
|
|
Montmorency |
|
|
Rosebud |
|
|
Seville |
|
|
Sunbury |
Last Modified on 06/03/2015 09:41