Essendon VFL Women’s team confirmed for 2018

Football Discussion Essendon VFLW
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http://vfl.com.au/news-clubs-enter-vfl-womens/

AFL Victoria is pleased to announce the new clubs entering the Swisse Wellness VFL Women’s competition for 2018.

Six VFL Women’s licences have this week been granted for the 2018 season, with Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon, Richmond, St Kilda (AFL) and Williamstown to join the competition next year, while the VU Western Spurs will be known as the Western Bulldogs and will wear the red, white and blue in a strengthening of the two clubs’ relationship.

Seaford will transfer its licence to St Kilda (AFL), with the Saints to partner with the Frankston Football Club to form the Southern Saints, while Casey Demons will also form part of the expanded competition after Cranbourne transferred its licence to Casey in August (CLICK HERE for full story on Casey).

AFL Victoria Competitions Manager John Hook said the addition of new clubs to the competition will help create more state-league opportunities for women across Victoria.

“This is certainly an exciting time for our competition, providing more chances for women to showcase their skills at state-league level in Victoria,” Hook said.

“The interest from clubs wanting to join VFL Women’s has been overwhelming, and we have been working with all licensees to ensure they meet key criteria for a strong and sustainable competition moving forward.

“A key focus for all the clubs entering the VFL Women’s competition has been the development of talent in their regions, continuing to expand the pathway from the TAC Cup Girls competition and Next Generation Academies.

“AFL W expansion starts in 2019 with six new clubs entering the competition over two years, so the Victorian female talent pathway has a key role to play in helping develop future and current AFL players.

“Having a strong state-league competition will aid this.”

The final team structure for the 2018 Swisse Wellness VFL Women’s season will be announced at the end of October after all current clubs have assessed their position in the competition for next year. The fixture will be released in mid-December alongside the Peter Jackson VFL fixture.

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Video on the EFC site, follow the link. Some key bits bolded below. As previously suggested, this will to some extent take the timeslot of the killed VFL reserves competition.

Essendon Football Club is pleased to announce it will field a team in the VFL Women’s competition for the 2018 season.

AFL Victoria announced the Bombers will join Casey Demons, Carlton, Collingwood, Richmond, St Kilda, Western Bulldogs and Williamstown in the expanded competition next year.

CEO, Xavier Campbell, said this was an important opportunity to demonstrate the Club’s commitment to growing the game of women’s football.

“The dream of female footballers playing for the Essendon Football Club is now a reality,” Campbell said.

“We are fully committed to growing, developing and investing in aspiring young female footballers, and more broadly the game of women’s football.

“Our VFLW program will provide a pathway for women from North-West Melbourne, the Tiwi Islands and West Arnhem Land to continue their journey towards playing at the elite level.”

To ensure there is a complete pathway for aspiring young players, the Club has established a partnership with the Calder Cannons. The partnership is designed to unearth emerging talent, while also developing local women’s leagues in North-West Melbourne.

The VFLW team will be based and train out of the Club’s Melbourne Airport headquarters, while also holding regular training sessions at Highgate Reserve in Craigieburn.

Wearing the famous red sash, the team will play games at both the Bombers’ spiritual home of Windy Hill, as well as Highgate Reserve.

The Club is exploring the option of the VFLW team playing curtain raisers at AFL games, as well as hosting double headers featuring the VFL and VFLW teams throughout next season.

Campbell confirmed a key focus of the VFLW side would be its strong footprint at the grassroots level.

“The VFLW will provide a complete pathway to state league football from the Calder Cannons program and developing local women’s leagues in the North West corridor of Melbourne.

“We are committed to providing a positive contribution to the development of the game at a grassroots level. Our VFLW team will also train and play at Highgate Reserve in Craigieburn, and when the fixture allows our VFLW players will return to play for their local Clubs.

“It’s important players from our men’s and women’s football programs are positive role models in the community, and we believe working with young players is an important step in inspiring the next generation of AFLW players.”

Campbell said the Club would move quickly on the following key priorities;

  • Fill the position of Head Coach (Application process is now open)

  • Work closely with AFL Victoria to identify talented players from the local region.

  • Host an Alternative Talent Combine Day at EFC.

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This is a great move, gets our infrastructure in place. Gives great hope to all of the women footy players that want to Don the Sash.

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Is michaela long going to play for our vfl team?

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Wonderful news!

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Diamond Creek, Eastern Devils and St. Kilda Sharks are out.

Competition to be:

Box Hill
Carlton
Casey
Collingwood
Essendon
Darebin
Geelong
Melbourne University
Richmond
St.Kilda (known as Southern Saints)
Victoria University Western Spurs (tied to Western Bulldogs)
Williamstown

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Am liking the red band on the shoulders of the jumper.

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