THE MELBOURNE Football Club is proud to announce that it is entering into a partnership with the Victorian Women’s Football League (VWFL), an AFL first, to be announced at the VWFL state dinner tonight.

There are more than 1000 adult women playing the game, and nearly the same number of girls in Victoria alone also play.  The number of girls playing AFL increased by  54 per cent in 2008, which represents the most substantial growth area of participation in the game. 

According to Melbourne President Jim Stynes, "We have a unique opportunity, and we want to take on a leadership role where women in the AFL are concerned."  From a junior local level to the senior ranks, the ability of the Club’s partnership with the VWFL to make a difference is invaluable.

Awareness and support are key elements of the ongoing development and well being of the VWFL.  In order to achieve this, the entire Melbourne Football Club – from players and coaches to board members and staff – will be involved in VWFL activities.  Not only will the Club’s logo be seen on guernseys, but the Club as a whole will be actively supporting the aims of the VWFL.  The initial partnership is for two years, and includes the Club giving financial support to the VWFL.  

Brock McLean, Dean Bailey and Chris Connolly will be involved in ambassadorial, coaching and mentoring roles.  McLean and the rest of the leadership group will be coaching the state side before they head to the National Championships in Perth next week.

The entire project is a major initiative of the Women of Melbourne Committee, and is being kicked off in spectacular fashion.  The Club has the showpiece game of Women’s Round, leading into the Melbourne-Collingwood blockbuster.  The youth girls’ curtain raiser, a lap of honour consisting of women and girls who play the game, a female guard of honour, and a female mascot and coin tosser, will all give a wonderful boost to the start of this new partnership.