Growth prompts girls age group shake-up

AFL Barwon has introduced new changes to the structure of the junior female competition ahead of the 2023 season.

The competition will revert to the U10, U12, U14, U16 and U19 divisions from next season and beyond, with the girls’ competition realigning with the boys’ junior age brackets.

AFL Barwon region general manager Edward Wilson said there had been “exponential growth” in women’s football in the past few seasons.

“The change in age groups represents the exponential growth our region has experienced, both pre, during and post Covid-effected seasons,” he said.

“(It) provides greater opportunities for participation, development, and career longevity, to ensure our female footballers are provided with the best environment locally to excel and enjoy their football.

“It was important to go back a few years and compare the participation rates in nonCovid years, and for the past five years there has been an upwards trend that is really promising.”

In 2022, girls’ football was played at an U10, U12, U15 and U18 level, with players then graduating to senior level.

The boys’ competition runs up to U18s football and will continue to do so in 2023, with players then making the leap to senior grades, but the girls’ pathway will extend to U19s.

Wilson said it was a deliberate ploy to provide female players an extra year of development in the sport. “It will help create a smoother development pathway for female players, and will also help create a stable competition with a real depth of talent,” he said.