A NATIONAL women’s football competition is a step closer with the introduction of a new academy in Melbourne.

The AFL Victoria Women's Football Academy will see over 100 of the state’s best female footballers begin a nine-month program that will provide them access to elite club facilities and resources.

Players from VWFL clubs will have access to detailed training programs covering areas such as kicking, strength, conditioning and nutrition.

AFL Victoria Female Football Manager Darren Flanigan lauded the first step towards preparing these players for a future national competition.

"It is an exciting program we have developed, and is a great opportunity for the players invited to challenge themselves to reach their full potential," he said.

"We are bringing together individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds in an attempt to give everyone involved the best possible opportunity to pursue their aspirations of playing high-level Australian Football.”

Recent stars of the AFL Women's Exhibition Series will take part in the program, including Daisy Pearce, Katie Brennan, Moana Hope and Steph Chiocci.

As part of the program there will be interstate matches across two weekends involving teams from AFL Queensland and AFL New South Wales.

"The Academy and coaches will provide players with the tools and a platform in which they can thrive if they choose to work hard throughout the program," Flanigan said.

"Participants will have the ability to track their wellbeing and training load whether at the weekly sessions or at home doing their own personal or club workouts."

The academy begins on Sunday at Carlton’s Ikon Park with an address from the club’s new coaching director Neil Craig and a 2km time trial.