Over 200 Indigenous women will make history this weekend, as they prepare to participate in the inaugural AFL Victoria Koorie Women’s Football Carnival from November 18-19.
In partnership with Victoria Aboriginal Community Services Association Ltd. (VACSAL), the state-wide Koorie Women’s Football Carnival is the first opportunity Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women will have to showcase their skills in an all-female Indigenous Australian Football competition.
Held at Punt Road Oval, the two-day Koorie Women’s Football Carnival will see talented female Indigenous athletes aged 15 years and over compete in a round-robin tournament.
Eight teams from communities across all corners of the state are set to participate in the inaugural event, with representative sides from Mildura, Shepparton, Heywood and Dandenong travelling to Melbourne to compete.
The Koorie Women’s Football Carnival is an extension of the recently established Boorimul Program which was launched in May to identify and nurture talented Indigenous female players into the elite AFL pathway.
AFL Victoria Female Indigenous Programs Coordinator, Lily Graham, said the event is a key milestone for Indigenous football in Victoria.
“To be able to establish the first ever Koorie Women’s Football Carnival in Victoria is a terrific achievement and a positive reflection on the growth of female football and the new opportunities available for Indigenous people to participate in our sport,” she said.
“Together with VACSAL, Korin Gamadji Institute and funding partner VicHealth, AFL Victoria is proud to be a leader in developing new football participation pathways for Indigenous women, which will allow more females to have the same opportunities to play competitive football as their male counterparts.
“We really encourage all football fans to come along and support the competition, which we hope will be a stepping stone for the next generation of Indigenous female AFL talent.”
In addition, the Carnival will also include a host of family friendly activities for fans to enjoy including food vans, kids inflatables, face painting and a meet and greet with a number of Indigenous AFL stars.
Day 1 of the Koorie Women’s Football Carnival will kick off on Saturday November 18 from 9am- 6pm, while Day 2 will commence from 10am- 2:30pm on Sunday November 19.
Competing Communities:
- Mallee Tigers- Mildura
- Rumbalara- Shepparton
- Bunurong- Dandenong
- Fitzroy Stars- Metro
- Cummeragunja- Echuca
- Gulgurn Manja Gariwed- Heywood/ Portland
- Koorie Kurburoos
- Australian Defence Force- Indigenous Pathways
Activities:
- Welcome to Country & Smoking (11.50am Saturday)
- AFL Player Panel and Meet & Greet (Saturday)
- Inflatables for kids
- Face Painting
- VAHS Healthy Lifestyle Team
- Health Checks
- Food vans
- DJ
- Kids Grand Final Sprint (Sunday)
- Bring your footy along for a Kick to Kick on Punt Rd Oval (Sunday)
