AFL Central Victoria and AFL Goulburn Murray have joined together to form the new competition that is slated to run from May through to August.

The introduction of a senior women’s competition is the next step for the two regions, which both run Youth Girls competitions in Bendigo and Shepparton.

“Youth Girls in the Bendigo Junior Football League has grown from three to 10 teams over the past four years,” AFL Central Victoria development manager Tony McNamara said on Thursday.

“There is a strong interest for girls graduating from the Youth Girls competition to continue their playing career.

“A local senior league is a key step in our female player pathway from Auskick to Youth Girls to senior football and ultimately, providing a feeder for our best talent to the National league.”

The Shepparton District Junior Football League’s Youth Girls competition this year featured five teams, with more growth expected in 2017.

The new senior competition will be overseen by a joint committee of management comprising members from the AFL Central Victoria and AFL Goulburn Murray commissions.

“The competition will be participation-focused offering a playing opportunity for women of all abilities, with the potential for exciting double headers and links to Youth Girls and senior men’s games,” AFL Goulburn Murray general manager Martin Gleeson said.

“There are already half-a-dozen clubs who have shown an interest in joining the league.”

Clubs wanting to enter a team in the new competition must submit an expression of interest before January 31, 2017.

Expression of interest packs are available from both the AFLCV and AFL Goulburn Murray offices.

It’s hoped six to eight teams will compete in the competition next year.

The introduction of the new senior league comes in the wake of the Bendigo Thunder women’s football club announcing last week it would add a new development team next season.