AFL Women's League secures inaugural sponsor for 2017 competition

FOLLOWING in the wake of long-term banking sponsorships of elite netball, NAB has signed on as the sponsor of the new AFL Women’s League in 2017.

Phoebe McWilliams, 31, Jessica Dal Pos, 23 and Louise Stephenson, 21, are with the GWS for WHO HAVE from Victoria were poached by GWS.

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FOLLOWING in the wake of long-term banking sponsorships of elite netball in the past, NAB has signed on as the sponsor of the new AFL Women’s League in 2017.

The sponsorship was confirmed by the AFL on Tuesday, along with NAB extending their AFL partnership for six years.

The news has come a day before the first AFL women’s draft on Wednesday.

Jessica Dal Pos handballs during the VFL Women's Grand Final.

“At NAB, we value diversity and we believe in equality. I am invested in building a culture that supports women to achieve their goals; women at NAB, our customers and in the community more broadly,’’ said NAB CEO Andrew Thorburn.

“That’s why we are backing the AFL Women’s League. It gives footy fans, especially young girls and boys, inspirational role models to help nurture their passion for the game.’’

The new league run from February to March 2017 and boasts eight teams from Adelaide, Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Collingwood, Fremantle. GWS Sydney, Melbourne Western Bulldogs.

Phoebe McWilliams, Jessica Dal Pos and Louise Stephenson were poached by GWS for the AFL Women's League. Pic: Adam Taylor

Also staring in February is the new-look, all-Australian netball league.

Elite netball has been sponsored by both the Commonwealth Bank and the ANZ in recent years.

A new naming rights sponsor has still to be named for the 2017 netball competition.