In 2013, the Melbourne Football Club, in conjunction with the Victorian Women’s Football League (VWFL), introduced the Rising Star Award to recognise talented female footballers.

Each week, a VWFL player receives the Rising Star Award, which is awarded to players who demonstrate great leadership qualities - both on and off the football field.

On Tuesday 6 August, 25 award winners gathered at AAMI Park to participate in an exclusive training session with Jack Grimes, James Frawley and Mark Jamar.

The Melbourne players put the girls through their paces during the session under lights on Gosch’ s Paddock.

Jack Grimes said, “The talent from these female players is unbelievable. It was fantastic to have them come into the Club, and participate in the training session.  We’re proud to support women playing football, and it’s great that we can reward them for the hard work and dedication they put in, both on and off the field.”

Following the training session, Melbourne development coaches Paul Satterley and Andrew Nichol spoke to the group about life in the AFL, and conducted a Q&A session with the award winners.