Ballarat to host first AFLW match, six AFL games in three-year deal

The Western Bulldogs has named Ballarat its “second home” following a three-year commitment to the region. See the detail in the deal here.

Ballarat will host its first home-and-away AFLW game next year and six AFL matches over three years.

A deal between the Western Bulldogs and the Victorian Government announced on Monday will bring two AFL matches to Mars Stadium every year until 2024.

On its end, the Bulldogs will continue community programs such as its Sons of the West and Daughters of the West health courses.

The AFLW game is part of a separate partnership between the Bulldogs and Ballarat City Council.

Ballarat mayor Daniel Moloney said the regional matches would benefit local businesses and inspire up-and-coming footballers.

“Having the two games here from a men’s point of view is already impressive and the partnership over the past few years has delivered a premiership and an almost-premiership as well … we here in Ballarat had such pride seeing the word ‘Ballarat’ on the shorts of those AFL footballers,” he said.

“It’s got to be more to us than just a couple of games of football in men’s; the women’s game here in Ballarat is huge for us as well.

“To see their stars out here locally is really important in continuing to foster the women’s game, so we’re really grateful that we can actually see AFLW come to Mars Stadium for points for the first time.”

Western Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains thanked the people of Ballarat for welcoming the club to its “second home”.

“When we first came here six years ago, there were two elements for us that were non-negotiable: one was making a long-term commitment to the region and the second was having a year-round presence as well,” he said.

“I think we’re all in awe of the growth in women’s sport across the country. A lot of our best performing athletes and teams at national level are women, so it’s great to be able to bring the AFLW version of that here and inspire the next generation as well.

“Our athletes all talk about this being the best surface and best venue in the country as well, so it’s a real treat to come here, and certainly in the men’s game we’ve built it into a bit of a fortress as well not having lost here for a while, so there’s that high performance aspect that we’re pretty excited about.”

Bulldogs AFL player Marcus Bontempelli said Ballarat had embraced the team “from the word go”.

“We’ve managed to sort of string together a few wins here … we normally get some of the teams from warmer states who come down and don’t appreciate the colder conditions later in the year, so it does provide some sort of competitive advantage, which I guess we always like as well,” he said.

Bulldogs AFLW player Bonnie Toogood said she hoped to make Mars Stadium “a fortress like the boys”.

AFL fixtures for 2022 are expected to be released in two to three weeks, and AFLW fixtures within the next week.