Port Melbourne Chargers join the VAFA

The VAFA is already the biggest women’s competition in Australia and it’s set to grow this year with a new team set to be included. Here’s what we know.

The Victorian Amateur Football Association is set to grow.

The competition has confirmed it will welcome the Port Melbourne Chargers Women’s Football Club for this season.

VAFA officials confirmed on Tuesday night the club would field two senior teams in Premier B women’s and Division 5 women’s when the season gets underway next month.

The move allows the club to connect a junior and senior pathway to Port Melbourne Colts Junior Football Club.

“The Chargers committee made a strong submission to play in the VAFA, endorsing the standard and values of our current women’s competition, which continues to grow and remains the largest community women’s football competition in Australia,” VAFA boss Jason Reddick said in a statement.

“With a well-organised committee, exponential population growth forecast for the Port Melbourne area, and strong female pathway connections to teams at both local junior girls and VFL level, we are confident that Port Melbourne Chargers will make a positive contribution to our VAFA community for many years to come.”

Port Melbourne Junior Football Club president Annette Maloney labelled the move an “exciting step forward”.

“The Chargers give local girls and women the chance to stay connected to the game, their teammates, and their club as they grow. This isn’t just about creating a pathway. It’s about building a lifelong football family where every player feels supported, included and valued,” she said.

The new program aiming to help tackle a ‘critical issue’

Victorian Amateur Football Association boss Jason Reddick hopes the establishment of a new program can help address the alarming rates of gambling among young people.

The VAFA has combined with the Adelaide Footy League and Perth Football League to launch The Real Stakes — an initiative which will be delivered to almost 40,000 people across 208 clubs.

It is a program which will challenge the normalisation of online sports gambling in Australia and provide crucial support to those most at risk of harm.

AFL stars Jacob Weitering and AFLW gun Monique Conti have been unveiled as program ambassadors.

The Real Stakes will deliver 15 in-person workshops and nine webinars across the three competitions and includes comprehensive educational resources, support materials, and specialised training for coaches and volunteers on identifying and addressing online sports gambling-related harm.

“Coming out of Covid, the feedback from all of our clubs was mental health was a real challenge for a lot of the community,” Reddick said.

“We’ve been looking at those areas that we can supply support in that space. Online sports gambling was one of those things that was referenced. And it was growing as well.

“For that reason, it needed attention and was critical we did something to play a role.”

Reddick said community sport continued to play a key role in fostering connection, promoting wellbeing, and building a sense of belonging.

“The growing influence of online sports gambling poses a significant threat to the foundational values of connection, wellbeing and belonging,” Reddick said.

“It’s crucial that we address the damaging impact of online sport gambling to ensure a safe, supportive environment for all participants.

“That’s exactly what this program is about. Empowering everyone, from players and coaches to volunteers and presidents, to protect and support each other from gambling harm.”