DAISY Pearce has been named the 2016 Football Woman of the Year at the annual Liptember Grand Final Comedy Debate at Crown Palladium on Thursday.

Pearce has become the face of women’s football across the nation as she holds the position of the AFL’s female football ambassador, works as an AFL talent coordinator and is a graduate intern at the Melbourne Football Club.

Pearce constantly sets an example as a public advocate for women at the highest level of the AFL and in her role to impact on the future of female players, coaches and administrators across the industry.

The Football Woman of the Year Award recognises women in the industry who have made a significant contribution to the game of Australian Football.

Melbourne chief executive Peter Jackson congratulated Pearce on her award. 

“This award is great recognition for Daisy and highlights the significant impact she has made at the Melbourne Football Club,” he said.

“She has been one of the key drivers of pioneering women’s football, and has captured the hearts and minds of those that have followed her career. Her playing achievements have again been outstanding this year, but this award is recognition of her broader achievements and contribution to the game – and that is something that everyone at the Melbourne Football Club is very proud of.  

“When we first employed Daisy into the role of 'Executive Trainee', the Club recognised her ability beyond the playing field and we firmly believe she will have a very long and successful career in the AFL field of her choice. She has great drive and determination, and we look forward to continuing to develop Daisy as she continues to make her mark in the game of AFL.”

Pearce has had another outstanding year, winning the inaugural VFL Women’s best and fairest award in 2016 and being named in the VFL Women’s team of the year.

This follows on from a host of achievements such as captaining Melbourne in the AFL women’s exhibition series from 2013-16.

She also won Melbourne’s inaugural best female player in 2015.

In 2013, she was selected at No.1 in the first AFL women’s draft.

Captain of Darebin Falcons, Pearce has played in nine premierships, represented Victoria six times and been All-Australian on six occasions.

She has won six Helen Lambert Medals – for the best and fairest player in the Victorian Women’s Football League premier division.

Presented by the Essendon Women’s Network (EWN), this prestigious award is open to any woman involved in football regardless of club or profession.

Karen Cusack, committee member of the EWN, said the event, now in its 18th year, is an important acknowledgement of the women who have made significant contributions to the Australian football industry in a wide range of professional and voluntary capacities.

“Daisy is an exceptional example of the influential role women can play in football,” Cusack said.

“In a field of outstanding nominees, Daisy was selected this year for her leadership and commitment to the game both on and off the field.

“Not only is Daisy an outstanding player of our game, she is an articulate and passionate natural leader and role model for young women.

“The Football Woman of the Year Award is an important date on the calendar and in particular this year following the formal launch of the Women’s League.

“We are really proud to be playing a significant role in driving the female agenda in the industry and cannot wait when it is truly everyone’s game.”

Pearce was the winner of the professional category as well as the overall Football Woman of the Year.

Janet Seth – WA Football Commission was named the winner of the Honorary Category.

This year, the Emerging Leader Award was presented to Lisa Kennedy – Community Development Coordinator at Port Adelaide Football Club.

Winners were selected by an independent panel including AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan, Major General Simone Wilkie AM and Emma Quayle, Senior Journalist at The Age.

Past winners of the Football Woman of the Year Award include; Irene Chatfield (1998), Jill Lindsay (1999), Caroline Wilson (2000), Katrina Pressley (2001), Beverly Knight (2002 – joint winner), Bev O’Connor (2002 – joint winner), Jenny Williams (2003), Edna Daniher (2004), Jennie Loughnan (2005), Barb Cullen (2006), Terry Bracks (2007), Susan Alberti (2008), Debbie Lee (2009), Anna Durante (2010), Lesley McGrath (2011), Belinda Duarte (2012), Michelle Cowan (2013), Peta Searle (2014) and Jan Cooper (2015).