Interest growing in Northern Football League women’s competition ahead of launch next year

THE Northern Football League has already fielded inquiries from several clubs about joining its inaugural women’s competition next year.

South Morang could be one of the first NFL teams to join the new women’s competition. Picture: Dennis Manktelow.

THE Northern Football League has already fielded inquiries from several clubs about joining its inaugural women’s competition next year.

The league announced earlier this month it would introduce an NFL women’s league from 2017 in an effort to capitalise on the growing popularity of women’s football in the northern suburbs.

Only one NFL club — South Morang — entered a team in the Victorian Women’s Football League this year, while Diamond Creek plays in the VFL Women’s competition.

But the league has a strong youth girls competition which has grown in recent years to include clubs such as Darebin, Epping, Montmorency and Mill Park.

“The aim will be to have two divisions,” NFL chief executive Peter McDougall said.

“We’ve still got a fair bit of discussion to take place with AFL Victoria (about) who comes into the competition. Our aim would be that the first division might be established teams.”

Eight clubs entered under-18 girls’ sides this year, with unbeaten South Morang at the top of the ladder after Round 9.

The NFL also has under-16, under-14 and under-12 girls’ competitions and hopes to introduce an under-10 division next year.

“I’ve probably had two clubs express interest who don’t have a women’s team at the moment,” McDougall said.

“It will be new for them. And I’ve had a couple of existing clubs talk to me.”

McDougall said the league had been working closely with AFL Victoria to establish a pathway for the region’s best female footballers to reach the top level.

Their plans include the in-troduction of a northern academy, which will be overseen by the Northern Knights.

“It should be no different to what the boys have,” McDougall said.

“That we create the same opportunities for the girls as what the boys (have) through the domestic competitions and talent programs for those that are fortunate enough to be given that opportunity.

“Providing those opportunities for girls in this region would be fantastic.”

McDougall said the option would be open to existing VWFL clubs without any ties to the NFL but based in the northern suburbs, such as La Trobe Uni, to join.

The NFL women’s introduction will coincide with the implementation of a national competition.

The AFL will run a women’s league for the first time next season, showcasing the best female footballers from across the country.