COMMITMENT TO FEMALE FOOTBALL
The Blackburn Football Club is a long-time supporter of girls playing football. In 2023, we celebrate our: 

• 17th year of actively promoting girls playing football
• 12th year of hosting all-girls teams.

OUR PROGRAM

In 2023, we are proud to have six girls teams on the field, with over 150 players, led by our first female Junior President, Sharyn Berry.

The six teams play in all age groups at the Eastern Football Netball League (EFNL), and as the interest in girls football continues to grow, we’ll be looking to expand on our teams in 2024.

Our U10 girls team returned in 2023 for the first time since Covid. A passionate and skilful group, they are coached by one of our top Senior Masters players, Melissa Ashby, who is supported by Senior Women’s player, Jasmine Symakowski.

All of our coaches in the girls program are passionate about girls football and couldn’t be better advocates for developing our program and the player’s love and enjoyment of the game.  They are supported by a dedicated Girls Program Co-Ordinator and a Junior Committee made up of 50% males and females.

We are proud to provide girls with a football pathway from Auskick, through our Junior program, to our Senior Club, and for some even through to the VFLW and AFLW.

A PROGRAM OF SUCCESS

Our program has enjoyed considerable success over the years. We have produced some talented players and coaches, with our players selected in State and Representative teams every year.

In 2023 we had:

• Two players in the Vic Metro State Under 18 team
• Five players in the U15 Interleague team
• Seven players playing representative football with Oakleigh Chargers and Eastern Ranges
• Four former junior players playing in the VFLW Grand Final
• Six players playing AFLW in 2023

We are also proud to say that we are one of the leading community clubs, for players who have gone onto AFLW careers!

WE’RE SERIOUS

With the AFL’s establishment of a national competition in 2017, female football has become a serious proposition. Blackburn is equally serious about continuing to grow and develop our girls’ football program.