http://www.metromagazine.com.au http://theeducationshop.com.au A STUDY GUIDE BY © ATOM 2018. ISBN: 978-1-76061-178-1 FIONA HALL CONTENT HYPERLINKS 3 CURRICULUM LINKS 4 ACTIVITIES 10 WRITING ACTIVITIES 11 REFERENCES

FEATURING CANDID INTERVIEWS WITH LEADING PLAYERS INCLUDING; , , , AND, CAPTAINS, COACHES AND AFL BOSS GILLON MCLACHLAN

The AFLW pioneers were given just eight weeks to prove to themselves, their club and society that they belong. Showcasing their own style of football, the AFLW players smashed stereotypes and inspired a generation of girls, changing Australian sport and society forever. The AFL Women’s competition is at the forefront of an extraordinary transformation that’s taking place in Australian sport. In a short season every win and loss is magnified. On top of their training and match day commitments, the players juggle work or study. It’s a very different life to an AFL player.

‘HEROES’ is a celebration of the inaugural season from its breathtaking opening night to its dramatic conclusion, showcasing the drama, passion and dedication of Australia’s first AFL Women’s competition. With exclusive access to the inner sanctum the documentary takes us into the dynamic world of Women’s AFL, and introduces © ATOM 2018 the new Heroes of the game. 2 CURRICULUM LINKS

‘HEROES’ can be linked to the following subjects in the personal style and evaluate the effectiveness of these Australian National Curriculum: texts (ACELT1814) Create literary texts with a sustained ‘voice’, select- • Year 9 and 10 Health and Physical Education ing and adapting appropriate text structures, literary • Year 9 and 10 English devices, language, auditory and visual structures and • Year 10 History features for a specific purpose and intended audience (ACELT1815) Relevant Content Descriptions for Health and Physical Create imaginative texts that make relevant thematic and Education: intertextual connections with other texts (ACELT1644) Analyse and evaluate how people, cultures, places, events, Evaluate factors that shape identities and critically ana- objects and concepts are represented in texts, includ- lyse how individuals impact the identities of others ing media texts, through language, structural and/or (ACPPS089) visual choices (ACELY1749) Plan and evaluate new and creative interventions that pro- Create sustained texts, including texts that combine spe- mote their own and others’ connection to community cific digital or media content, for imaginative, informa- and natural and built environments (ACPPS097) tive, or persuasive purposes that reflect upon challeng- Critique behaviours and contextual factors that influ- ing and complex issues (ACELY1756) ence health and wellbeing of diverse communities (ACPPS098) Relevant Content Descriptions for History (Depth Study - Popular Culture 1945 – Present): Relevant Content Descriptions for English: The nature of popular culture in Australia at the end Compare and evaluate a range of representations of of World War II, including music, film and sport individuals and groups in different historical, social and (ACDSEH027) cultural contexts (ACELT1639) Continuity and change in beliefs and values that have influ- Create literary texts that reflect an emerging sense of enced way of life (ACDSEH149) © ATOM 2018

3 ACTIVITIES

BIRTH OF THE AFLW

TIME CODE: 02:36 – 11:26

We see the anticipation and exciting reality of the first ever match for the AFLW in February 2017. After review- ing their first venue choice of Olympic Park, the AFL see a capacity crowd of 24,500 pack into to watch history in the making, with many fans unable to see the match due to a lock out.

As old rival Carlton and Collingwood clashed in this inaugural match, AFL chief Gillon McLachlan heads out- side the venue to apologise to disappointed fans who were unable to get in.

• Note and discuss the range of emotions described by the various people involved in this inaugural match. • Why do you think the AFL underestimated how popular this event would be? • Read the following article by Chyloe Kurdas as a class, and discuss the reasons why the birth of the AFLW is so important for women across Australia: http://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/18600147/ why-afl-womens-league-important-aflw • Extension activity: Research other female leagues of traditionally male dominated sports from around the world. What differences/similarities do you note in relation to the AFLW?

FOCUS ON DRAFT DAY

TIME CODE: 12:12 – 17:01

We meet Sarah Perkins, one of the key forwards in the VFL Women’s competition. We follow her experience on the AFLW Draft Day. Write a reflec- tion on:

• Sarah’s experiences and feelings during and after Draft Day. • Reasons why she may have decided to play with Adelaide and her reception when she joined the Club. Refer to Adelaide Coach ’s welcome speech for Sarah. © ATOM 2018

4 FOCUS ON MEDIA COVERAGE OF AFLW

TIME CODE: 38:41 – 39:41

We see Darcy Vescio’s post her comment ‘WEN YOU LAUGH TOGETHA COS YOU KNOW UR GONNA SMASH THE PATRIARCHY’ to social media, and the response to this.

As a class, read and discuss the following article: http://www. heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/how-darcy-vescios-aflw- debut-and-pregame-instagram-post-inspired-a-line-of-tshirts/ news-story/1e4a92bc635892f402097c5837399544

Darcy states: “That’s why I love AFL, because it’s a really ac- cessible sport and you can send really powerful messages in a really simple way.”

• What do you think she means in the above statement? What motivated Darcy to post her comment? Were you surprised by the popularity and resonance of her post? Discuss. • Working in pairs/small groups, research the media coverage of the inaugural AFLW season. How were games covered? Compare and contrast positive and negative coverage of the games and the league itself. Were there any controver- sies, and if so, what were the reasons for these? • Working in small groups, discuss the following and share answers as a class: Given the enormous popularity of the inaugural AFLW season, do you think the AFL may consider any of the following in 2018 and beyond: - Extending the season from 7 weeks. - Increasing the number of clubs in the league - Changing the timing of the season - Moving key games to larger venues - Increasing media coverage

Suggested articles to inform the above discussion: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/womens-afl/aflw-players-to-share- an-extra-500000-next-season-20171102-gzdoh3.html http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/aflw-fixture- 2018-blockbuster-to-open-second-season-20171026-gz- 9bs5.html

TRAINING PROGRAM FOR AN AFLW PLAYER

The women players we meet in ‘HEROES’ are certainly elite athletes, although they are semi-professional, as they have to juggle the demands of working alongside their AFLW training and playing commitments.

• Working in pairs, research and prepare a training schedule suitable for a player in the AFLW. © ATOM 2018 • Discuss the challenges of having to man- age work or study with training for sport at such an elite level. 5 PROFILES OF AFLW PLAYERS /COACHES

Throughout ‘HEROES’ we meet several key figures within the AFLW. Working in pairs/ small groups, allocate students one of the following women and have them prepare a profile. Include relevant media coverage, as well as their direct experiences during ‘HEROES’ during their first season in the AFLW. Track the progress of their team, as well as their commenting on their own indi- vidual achievements and disappointments along the way.

PLAYERS/COACHES TO FOCUS ON:

DARCY VESCIO CARLTON (FORWARD) Darcy joined the Blues women’s team as a marquee player. The 23-year- old forward started playing footy when she was five, going on to win three VWFL premierships with the and representing the Victorian state team on two occasions. She is known for her clean hands and regularly puts herself in dangerous positions, making her a handful for opposition defenders. Vescio also works at Carlton as a graphic designer, and fittingly worked on the design for the inaugural Carlton women’s guernsey.

ELLIE BLACKBURN (INSIDE MIDFIELDER) Ellie Blackburn is a rising star of the women’s game, an elite and fearless inside midfielder with agility and poise. Prolific ball-winner with a prodigious kick, Blackburn is regularly at the top of the stats sheet and one of the most influential players in the VFL Women’s competition. A four-time All-Australian at youth level, she is starting to make her mark in senior

competition. Blackburn is a member © ATOM 2018 of the Club’s leadership group for the 2017 NAB AFLW competition.

6 SARAH PERKINS ADELAIDE CROWS (FORWARD) Sarah Perkins is an imposing forward who brings others into the game with her football smarts. Perkins joined the Crows as a Free Agent for the inaugural AFLW season after being overlooked at the draft by clubs in her native . A booming and textbook shot at goal, Perkins also works hard defensively. She has a strong influence on the playing group, and is loved by teammates and fans alike. BEC GODDARD ADELAIDE CROWS (SENIOR COACH) Bec Goddard has extensive playing and coaching experience both in the ACT and South Australia. Born and bred in Canberra, Goddard first started playing Aussie Rules in 1999 and has been pivotal in the growth of the women’s game. Her impressive playing and coaching career includes premierships at Eastlake Football Club women’s team. Her efforts to build the women’s game were recognised in 2015 when she was awarded AFL Football Woman of the Year. Goddard continued her work as a pioneer of the women’s game as the first coach of the Crows women’s team in their inaugural AFLW season.

OTHER PLAYERS TO RESEARCH:

SABRINA FREDERICK- TRAUB () DAISY PEARCE () (Carlton) © ATOM 2018 Select players/coaches from any of the AFLW teams. 7 THE IMPORTANCE OF SPORT IN AUSTRALIAN POPULAR CULTURE AND FOCUS ON AFL

Sport has become an important part of the Australian • Conduct research in Australian Rules Football and national identity. For a relatively small country, Australia has construct a digital timeline. Include relevant images. consistently performed well in the international sporting Suggested sites to begin research: arena. Athletic success has not only strengthened national http://www.afl.com.au/afl-hq/the-afl-explained/history morale, but has led to characteristics such as courage and http://auspost.com.au/education/afl/students/afl- resilience being regarded as ‘Australian’. Success in sport history.html was seen as one means for Australia to prove its worth to • There are currently 18 teams in the men’s AFL. Allocate the rest of the world (particularly against the British). Playing, one team to a student(s) and have them prepare a watching, reading about and betting on sport have always padlet page (www.padlet.com ), prezi (www.prezi.com ) been key aspects of the Australian national identity. or hard copy presentation summarising the history and development of one of these clubs. • Sport has always been an important part of Australian • Can you find any research that indicates the presence culture. What do you think are the main reasons for of a women actively playing Australian football in the this? early years of the sport? • How has the advent of the AFLW in 2017 reflected the In the mid – late 1800s, a new sport developed in Australia changing values within Australian society? Discuss in primarily as a way to keep cricketers fit during winter. In relation to the role of women and the increased focus © ATOM 2018 1896, the Victorian Football League was founded. on gender equality and diversity.

8 3. Is the general trend for attendance at live sporting events increasing or decreasing? Can you suggest a possible explanation for this trend? 4. Visit the Australian Bureau of Statistics at www.abs. gov.au . Can you find the most recent figures on sport attendance and have the patterns noted above continued/changed? 5. Given the enormous popularity of the AFLW and the bigger than average attendance figures in its premier season, do you expect to see these figures continue to grow? Explain your response.

Source 2

“Football (or footy as it is also known) in Australia can mean any one of four codes – Australian Rules football, Association Football (soccer), Rugby League or Rugby Union. All four codes are team sports. The football code an Australian plays or follows is often dictated by where they live, their cultural heritage, or by the code they were taught at school. Both Rugby Union and SOURCE ANALYSIS Rugby League are most popular in New South Wales and Queensland. Australian Rules football is the dominant form Source 1 of football in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. Sport Number (‘000) Number (‘000) Soccer is considered to be the most popular team sport 2005 - 2006 2009 - 2010 in the world and is played in over 2,000 countries. Rugby League is played in more than 30 countries and is most Australian Rules Football 2526.7 2831.8 prominent in Australia, England and New Zealand. Rugby Horse racing 2003.7 1940.3 Union is also popular in many countries including Australia, England, Wales and Japan.” Rugby League 1486.4 1563.8 Source 2: Excerpt from ‘Football: Four Games, One Name’, Motor Sports 1485.2 1423 ABC 2009 Soccer (outdoor) 560.7 938.8 Answer the following questions with reference to Source 2: Cricket (outdoor) 730.7 678.7 1. With reference to Australian Rules Football, what fac- Rugby Union 682 575.5 tors influence whether this code is played or followed? 2. Working in pairs, write an additional paragraph that Harness racing 444.2 412.1 could be added to Source 2 that summarises the ad- Tennis (indoor + outdoor) 267.9 293.7 vent of the AFLW in 2018.

Dog racing 224.8 281.4

Source 1: Spectators at Sporting Events 2005/06 and 2009/10, Australian Bureau of Statistics

Examine the statistics above and answer the following questions:

1. Which sport had the highest number of spectators at live matches over both periods? © ATOM 2018 2. Which sport had the greatest increase in attendance between the two periods? Can you suggest a possible explanation for this? 9 WRITING ACTIVITIES

Consider the following quotes from players in ‘HEROES’:

“When I had to stop playing at 14, I honestly never thought I was ever go- ing to play again.”

“It’s the smell of sausages, it’s the smell of grass, it’s the smell of Dencorub. It’s splinters that I used to get doing the scoreboard at my Dad’s footy games. It’s the good times of hanging out with my grandparents at the footy. It’s not just 7 games and a . It’s equality and diversity and it’s every- thing in one.” FOCUS ON DIVERSITY IN AFL “For me it’s always been really simple, The AFL has many football players from Indigenous and multi-cultural that everyone should have the opportu- backgrounds. nity to do everything and anything, no matter what gender they are.” The AFL Players’ Association believes in the importance of diversity in the AFL industry, providing numerous programs and services, as well as host- • With reference to the above, as well ing a range of events to support those from diverse backgrounds. as events from the documentary, write a reflection on the significance • Why do you think it’s important for the AFL to support and promote of the AFLW inaugural season on diversity in its league, and in football overall? the players and coaches. Consider • Visit the following sites and look at the maps indicating the places of the broader impact on Australian origin for Indigenous and Multicultural players in both the AFL and society. AFLW: • Assume the role of any of the key http://www.aflplayers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/ players/coaches we meet through- AFLPA193_A-Indigenous-Player-Map-Update-2017.pdf out ‘HEROES’ and write a series of http://www.aflplayers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/AFLPA- diary entries from their perspective Multicultural-Map.pdf during the AFLW inaugural season. • As a class, discuss the range of different places where players in both • Use any of the following prompts to leagues come from. Do you notice any patterns? Why do you think it’s write an expository piece that ex- important for both leagues to prepare and share such data? plores the significance of the AFLW • Visit the AFL Players Diversity site at http://www.aflplayers.com.au/ 2017 season (and beyond). Refer to diversity/ people and events from ‘HEROES’. • It is only when we understand our Break students into pairs/small groups and have them research and report own identity that we can have a back on the following programs/actions: sense of belonging • Someone might search forever for a • INDIGENOUS PLAYERS ADVISORY BOARD place to belong. • INDIGENOUS ALL-STARS CAMP • We all gain our sense of identity • INDIGENOUS BEST PRACTICE GUIDELINES from interacting with those around • RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN us • MULTICULTURAL PLAYERS WORKING GROUP • Only when we challenge ourselves will we find where we belong. Discuss what the program/action aims to achieve and the reasons why you • We feel most comfortable with peo- think they are an important part of an inclusive and accepting AFL. ple who belong to our own group. • Individuals have the right to feel © ATOM 2018 Are there other initiatives that you think the AFL could introduce to ac- valued by and connected to the tively promote diversity, equality and acceptance in the sport? Share and society in which they live discuss your answers as a class. 10 REFERENCES

https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/ http://www.afl.com.au/afl-hq/the-afl-explained/history http://auspost.com.au/education/afl/students/afl-history. html http://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/18600147/ why-afl-womens-league-important-aflw http://www.abs.gov.au/ http://www.aflplayers.com.au/diversity/ http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/aflw/how-darcy- vescios-aflw-debut-and-pregame-instagram-post- inspired-a-line-of-tshirts/news-story/1e4a92bc635892f 402097c5837399544 http://www.theage.com.au/afl/womens-afl/aflw-players- to-share-an-extra-500000-next-season-20171102-gz- doh3.html http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/aflw-fixture- 2018-blockbuster-to-open-second-season- 20171026-gz9bs5.html

PICTURED LEFT, FROM TOP: NICOLE MINCHIN; ANGELA PIPPOS

This study guide was produced by ATOM. (© ATOM 2018) ISBN: 978-1-76061-178-1 [email protected] To download other study guides, plus thousands of articles on Film as Text, Screen Literacy, Multiliteracy and Media Studies, visit .

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