The 2015 AFL Women’s Draft will be held in Melbourne tonight (April 20), with 34 women to be given the opportunity to play for either Western Bulldogs or Melbourne Football Clubs this year in two AFL Women’s Exhibition matches.
A number of VWFL players impressed in the recent draft selection game, and will be hoping to join the eight VWFL players that have been retained for the exhibition games to be played on Sunday May 24 at the MCG and Sunday August 16 at Etihad Stadium.
Players from throughout Australia and overseas have nominated for the Draft with each club to draft 16 players and one emergency.
Players not selected on April 20 will have the opportunity to be selected at a mini-Draft on July 22 to be held after the state games, National Youth Championships and state league matches.
In 2015 the Western Bulldogs will be coached by Craig Starcevich and Michelle Cowan returns to coach Melbourne. To assist the selection process, state based ‘draft matches’ have been played across Australia, with players given an opportunity to highlight their skills in front of selectors from both teams.
AFL General Manager People, Customer and Community Dorothy Hisgrove said the AFL Women’s Draft starts a series of events that will celebrate the Centenary of Women’s Football.
“It’s an exciting time for Women’s Football. It is 100 years since the first recorded Women’s Football match and it’s a chance to celebrate how far the game has come.
“Women’s football is the fastest growing part of our game with 195,000 girls and women now playing Australian football.
“This year we have invested directly in female football club development which has led to 150 new junior and youth teams starting across the country as well providing access to coaching courses and high performance mentoring for the coaches of women’s teams,” Ms Hisgrove said.
- CLICK HERE to read more about the two AFL Women's Exihibition games this year and the current players for each team
The VWFL has enjoyed 30% growth in teams in 2015, with nine new clubs joining the competition.
Follow @womensfooty tonight for live coverage from the draft and the announcement of VWFL players drafted, or what the live stream of the draft by CLICKING HERE
Last Modified on 19/04/2015 23:41