AFL Central Victoria will launch its own open-age women’s football competition in 2018.
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The Northern Country Women’s League, which featured the Bendigo Thunder reserves, Kyneton, North Bendigo, Kerang, Benalla Saints, Echuca, Mooroopna and Shepparton has been disbanded with AFLCV and AFL Goulburn Murray to start their own separate competitions.
The decision, 12 months ahead of schedule, was approved by clubs at their end of season meeting on October 31.
AFL Central Victoria Region general manager Carol Cathcart said the split of the league would benefit all teams in localising the competitions and reducing travel.
“With the overwhelming success of our junior female competitions over the past years we feel that this is the perfect time to expand the senior competition,” Cathcart said.
“We have one more team committed to play in 2018 and we are working with a second club who has a strong base of youth girls. We are hopeful that with the reduced travel we will be able to attract even more teams.”
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AFL Goulburn Murray Region general manager Martin Gleeson welcomed the new direction.
“The competition was set up in conjunction with AFL Central Vic and AFL Central Murray and we committed to a two-year partnership before we would look to separate into two regional competitions” Gleeson said.
“However, the first season was a success ahead of our expectations and this has given us the confidence to split the league 12 months ahead of our original schedule.”
Central Victorian clubs who are interested in starting their own women’s teams are encouraged to contact AFLCV.