FEMALE FOOTBALL MatchGuide FEMALE FOOTBALL MatchGuide FOR THE CONDUCT AND DEVELOPMENT OF AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL FOR FEMALE PLAYERS AGED 13 - 18 YEARS. TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE AFL JUNIOR FOOTBALL MATCH GUIDE In partnership with AFL State and Territory affiliates: The AFL gratefully acknowledges the support of the Australian Government for AFL Development Programs, through the Australian Sports Commission. FEMALE FOOTBALL 4 | FEMALE FOOTBALL AFL MATCH GUIDE AFL GUIDELINES FOR THE CONDUCT OF AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL FOR FEMALE PLAYERS AGED 13 - 18 YEARS INTRODUCTION » Foreword from Daisy Pearce » About Female Football » Why females need different considerations to male footballers » Benefits to females staying involved in sport and physical activity » What girls love about playing AFL » Why girls stop playing sport » Youth Girls Philosophy THE PARTICIPATION PATHWAY » The AFL Participation Pathway for Females » Female Participation Policy » Inclusion of girls with Disabilities AFL FEMALE MATCH GUIDELINES » Auskick – U12 Match Guide Matrix (Mixed Gender Competitions) » U15s and U18s Match Guide Matrix (Single Gender Competitions) FEMALE FOOTBALL AFL MATCH GUIDE | 5 FEMALE FOOTBALL INTRODUCTION WHAT AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL ABOUT FEMALE FOOTBALL MEANS TO ME … The development of the Participation pathway for females is critical to the long-term growth and development of “I started football at AusKick then played with the the game. Currently females can participate in NAB boys at Bright JFC. Here I learnt how to compete, AFL Auskick (5–12 years) through to Junior and Youth build my strength, confidence and resilience. I wasn’t competitions (8–14 years) in mixed gender teams while allowed to play once I reached the age of 14 so turned the female player pathway is being developed. to volleyball. When I heard about a women’s AFL team It is well documented that girls want to play in female-only I switched back playing for Darebin FC and haven’t competitions. Reasons for this include: looked back since. The friendships I’ve made are lifelong. » Girls in a mixed gender team may feel intimidated or Football has taught me that if you are honest with excluded from learning the game to the level they would like yourself and prepared to work hard there is always » Female players feel that male players exclude them something that you can improve. I’ve also learnt that by not passing the ball to them every individual is very different and that within a football team, if used positively, this diversity can be » Often experience teasing from male players a strength. The same can be said about these two things in life as well. (Source: AFL Victoria Junior Girls survey, 2011) I keep involved because AFL continues to provide There are other key considerations that have been me with new challenges and opportunities to develop well researched: my skills and leadership qualities. There is nothing » Girls’ motivation to participate is more often for social better than being a member of a team; together we reasons and to learn new skills whereas males tend strive for excellence and when you achieve something to be predominantly motivated by the competition in that group, being able to celebrate and winning and enjoy it with twenty-one of your closest friends is amazing » Females are more likely to improve their skills in single and unique. gender settings I hope other girls can be given the opportunities to The safety of female participants is paramount and has develop their football skills and been considered in the Laws of the Game when previously find the same joy from AFL a mixed competition was the only opportunity open to that I have.” girls to play AFL. Once a girl turns 14 years she is no longer eligible to participate in a mixed gender team. (Source: AFL Daisy Pearce Junior Match Policy) However through the AFL’s research AFL Female it is not the preference of females to be members of Ambassador mixed gender teams anyway. and Melbourne The AFL Female Match and Club Guide is therefore Football Club’s designed to assist community clubs and Leagues to inaugural set up and conduct single gender Girls competitions Women’s (that is, any single gender competition for girls from Captain Auskick through to under 18 years) plus assist clubs to establish and engage girls teams. It should be used in partnership with AFL Junior Football Match Guide as this caters for female participation in mixed gender competitions where a female only pathway is not yet available. 6 | FEMALE FOOTBALL AFL MATCH GUIDE The Match Guide aims to: The Club Guide aims to: 1. Provide clear direction to leagues and clubs for 1. Assist clubs to plan strategically to build new the provision of appropriate pathways for girls female teams in safe and enjoyable environments 2. Provide clear direction to leagues and clubs for 2. Promote measures that will maximise the enjoyment the provision of appropriate facilities for girls and development of young female players 3. Maximise clubs’ efforts and resources in the 3. Ensure that girls football (Auskick through to U18) recruitment and retention of female players, is delivered in a uniform manner (consistent rules coaches and supporters and regulations) across all states and territories 4. Offer options to cater for more social female players 4. Maximise the recruitment and retention of players and umpires through programs and match rules WHAT ARE THE KEY appropriate to each age level CONSIDERATIONS FOR 5. Offer alternative structures for more social FEMALE FOOTBALLERS? female players Up until the onset of male puberty there are very few It should be noted that: physiological differences as to how girls and boys » The Laws of Australian Football as administered participate in AFL. Once boys move through puberty and controlled by the AFL apply to and guide this their larger bodies mean they will have enhanced document. This resource explains how variations physical abilities over females for example kicking to the Laws of Australian Football have been made the ball further or jumping higher at a ruck contest. for the appropriate delivery of girls football matches. Within a mixed gender team the skill acquisition of a non- athletic boy is greater than for a non-athletic girl. » The processes outlined in this document are the (Source: Dr Fleur McIntyre, University of Notre Dame) result of practices by community clubs who have Another key gender difference across any age group successfully implemented them over many seasons lies in why girls want to play AFL. Boys are more likely to and the results of focus groups conducted with youth participate for the competitive nature and the outcome of girls players and end-of-season surveys. Community the contest. Girls tend to be more motivated by improving Clubs appearing in the Case Studies are willing to be their skills and place greater value on how they fit into the contacted for further information or advice as they team. Promoting the health benefits of sport is also more are models of best practice. likely to appeal to girls than boys. Currently unlike boys, girls are less likely to have » The AFL recognises the need for various controlling bodies to determine their own arrangements within progressed from Auskick and Junior football through the principles of these guidelines. to Youth Girls. Many girls will not have had the opportunity to participate and Youth Girls may be their first entry » Young females grow and mature at different rates. point into AFL. This brings with it the need to introduce The girls rules are considerate of this growth and the physical and basic skills to these players while still maturation diversity and accordingly, provide an challenging those players who have come through the appropriate and sequential range of programs pathway. Broadly there are two player experiences that and match regulations. clubs will need to cater for: » Until the player pathway is seamless in every region 1) Single gender pathway administrators should be mindful that players may be entering the game for the first time at different While girls would prefer to play AFL in this pathway levels having not come through the pathway. This will it is not always available. present the need to introduce them to the basic skills Where players have progressed along a female-only and rules of the game sequentially before they enter pathway they will usually have learnt the basic skills but a competition. may not be as confident with the physicality of the game as a player coming from a mixed gender pathway. Where the player is new to AFL this guide seeks to provide information to create an environment that maximises the fun of the game and safe, progressive FEMALE FOOTBALL AFL MATCH GUIDE | 7 FEMALE FOOTBALL skill development particularly of the physicality aspects of the game. This may include girls from diverse cultural BENEFITS TO FEMALES backgrounds who do not understand the game, let alone STAYING INVOLVED IN SPORT be capable of executing the basic skills. AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY It is essential that young female players are introduced to the game through some modifications that consider It is well documented that sport is a great activity for their physical, psychological and emotional needs. young women for many reasons including: This guide seeks to provide information so that coaches, parents and players can make an informed » It is an excellent way to learn lessons about teamwork, decision about what option is best for this player rules, winning and losing commensurate with their age, size and ability. » Sport provides a positive impact on their personal physical and social development 2) Mixed gender pathway While girls would prefer to play AFL in the female » Skills and abilities developed in sport have been shown pathway it is not always available.