2014

NOMINATE NOWComplete your nomination at www.womensdraft.afl.com.au

THE FUTURE IS IN YOUR HANDS

FIRST 50 DRAFT PICKS MADE THEIR MARKThe historic match took place on Saturday, June 29, at 1.45pm on the MCG as the marquee event of AFL Women’s Round 2013. For the first time women’s teams represented AFL clubs and wore club guernseys.

The teams were formed following the first-ever AFL Women’s Draft. Players aged 17 years and over from All-Australian teams, AFL Academies and 2013 state teams nominated for the Draft, together with nominations received from interested parties globally and around Australia.

The Draft was live-streamed from the Ryder Room in the MCG to conference rooms in each capital city. Friends and family members gathered with their daughters, sisters and friends to experience the first-ever Women’s Draft. As players were selected, there were squeals of joy, tears of relief and congratulatory embraces from delighted family members. In some corners of the rooms, however, others sat quietly. Those who missed being drafted were gutted, falling short at their chance to place their name in the history books.

In a nail-biting atmosphere, Daisy Pearce (Darebin, VWFL) was picked up by Melbourne FC as Draft pick #1 and immediately shed a tear. “The realisation that female players could play on the MCG in AFL club colours in an AFL-sanctioned match and that I was the first player selected to do so was quite overwhelming,” said an elated Pearce.

Come match-day and playing for the Hampson-Hardeman Cup, Melbourne Football Club (MFC) and Western Bulldogs Football Club (WBFC) were proudly represented by 50 passionate and talented female athletes. At the conclusion of the historic game, Pearce also picked up the umpire’s votes for best on ground.

Others ranked highly in the Draft who played well included #2 pick for the Western Bulldogs, Stephanie Chiocci (Diamond Creek, VWFL) and #3 MFC choice Chelsea Randall (Swan Districts, WAWFL). While Chiocci began using her speed to advantage, she found the going tough when #19 pick Kiara Bowers (Coastal Titans, WAWFL) was her opponent. Randall enthralled the crowd. Her spectacular leaps off the backs of her opponents together with her high work ethic ensured the 7500 audience were loud and entertained. Debbie Lee Medallist from the 2013 AFL Women’s Championships, #25 pick for MFC Courtney Gum (UNSW/ES Sydney, NSWACT), continued her superb season’s form, repelling numerous Western Bulldogs forward moves in her backline.

Although Melbourne FC ran out four-goal victors, the cliché of the year was that “female football was the winner!” The players high fived the engaged crowd during their lap of honour and the football community were in admiration of the skill level of the two teams.

The 2014 AFL Women’s Exhibition Game will be conducted at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, June 28, at 9.30am and will be contested before the Western Bulldogs FC playing Melbourne FC. Now it’s your turn to get Drafted! With a minimum 24 places up for selection, you can make your mark. Go to www.womensdraft.afl.com.au and complete the Draft Nomination Form before March 31.

Jan CooperAFL Manager Female Development

HOW TO GET INVOLVEDThe AFL will conduct the Draft and nomination process so players can be selected from across Australia as per the Rules and Regulations of the Draft. As far as possible, the Draft will be live-streamed to each capital city. Interstate players will also be financially supported by the AFL to attend the AFL Women’s Exhibition Game ensuring it is as close to a true display of the best available female talent in Australia.

The competing AFL clubs will make their selections from the AFL Women’s Draft and host Interstate players who are drafted, providing a comprehensive program at their club leading up to the AFL Women’s Exhibition Game.

Am I eligible for the Draft?InvitationSome players will receive a direct invitation to nominate themselves for the Draft. As long as they are 17 years of age by the date of the match these will include but are not restricted to:

u All-Australian team members u State representatives u AFL and State Talent Academy members

All registered club players and talented athletesIf you are registered to a club, all other interested players aged 17 years of age by the date of the match are encouraged to nominate. These include but are not restricted to:

u Women’s League players u Players who have no club in their area but have played

for a school team u There is provision for females who have no access to a community

club near their home, for example living in a remote or isolated location, to nominate.

Steps to get into the DraftAll players are to nominate for the Draft via the online Draft Nomination Form found at:

1. www.womensdraft.afl.com.au or

2. Request a Nomination Form by emailing jan.cooper@afl.com.au

3. Print the form-complete it and sign then lodge by mail with the AFL, Jan Cooper PO Box 275 SUBIACO WA 6904 before March 31.

Please note: You must be a minimum 17 years of age by the match date. If you are under 18 years of age, you should ensure a parent/guardian signs the form too.

Once your nomination is accepted, you will receive confirmation of the conduct of the Draft. The AFL, together with the clubs, is planning to conduct the Draft via video conferencing, inviting players and their parents to attend in their capital city.

Any questions should be directed to Jan Cooper at the AFL via email jan.cooper@afl.com.au and headed AFL Women’s Draft 2014.

2014

NOMINATE NOWTHE FUTURE IS IN YOUR HANDS

KEY QUESTIONSImportant information you need to know

If I nominated in 2013, do I have to re-nominate?Yes. It is good practice to know current contact details of players wishing to be considered for the Draft, ascertain if there’s any retirements or players from 2013 who have sustained long-term injuries.

If I am delisted from 2013, can I nominate for the 2014 Draft?Yes! If you are displaying good form in your local League, State Academy etc, there’s a good chance that the coaches will want you back in their team.

However, depending on what positions on the field they need to fill, you may even get picked up by a different team to that of 2013. That means that Melbourne FC may not want a small forward, for example, so they delist you. Western Bulldogs FC may require a small forward and thus may relist you under their branding.

If I am selected at the AFL Women’s Draft, am I bound to play for the club that selects me?Yes. You will not have a choice of which club you can play for once selected in the Draft. You cannot offer a swap with another player, for example. However, the following clause applies in extenuating circumstances.

Can I trade to the other club if I have a case for Exceptional and Compelling Circumstances?A player selected by a club or an existing club player can apply to AFL Manager: Female Football Development at jan.cooper@afl.com.au to be released and traded to the other club should:

u The other club wish to accept them as a Traded Player u The player has grounds of exceptional and compelling

circumstances which make it harsh and unreasonable for the player to remain bound to that club.

This does not guarantee that the player will be traded nor selected by the other club. The AFL Manager will convene an independent Tribunal to hear the player’s case.

If my father played with Melbourne FC or Western Bulldogs, can I play for the same club?Yes. There is a father-daughter rule in place for the AFL Women’s Exhibition Game. If you are drafted, you will play for the club your father played with.

I am a member of Melbourne FC or Western Bulldogs or I support one of the clubs. Can I play for the club I barrack for or are a member of?Yes! If you are a paid member of either Melbourne or Western Bulldogs and, if selected, it will be for the club you are a member of. If you already have a passion for one of the clubs, we will do our best to see you’re selected to play for that club.

What if I am accepted for the Draft but find I cannot play in the match?You must let the AFL know immediately so they can source a replacement player.

I live in a remote part of Australia or don’t have a local club to play for. How do I nominate?If there is no female competition close to your home, then you will be asked to seek the approval of your local Regional Development Manager (RDM) before proceeding with your nomination. This match is for the most talented players. The AFL appreciates that those living in some regions (including overseas) may not have access to a player pathway but may be talented athletes. To provide the highest level of player welfare the AFL

may seek you being sighted by an RDM to make sure you are of the high standard required to participate in the match. You may have to be tested using the same protocols that State Academies conduct so we can gauge, for example, your overall endurance, agility, sprinting, kicking and handball techniques. The AFL may request vision of your skills being performed under pressure (such as with a defender, for speed and on the non-preferred side of your body).

You are unlikely to be considered unless you are willing to be tested and provide vision of yourself in action.

I’ve never played AFL for a club but have played for my school, so can I nominate?Yes! Nominations are welcome from athletes who are unable to play for a club because of their location. If your only opportunity to play AFL has been through your school, the AFL will seek the approval of your local Regional Development Manager (RDM) before proceeding with your nomination to make sure you are of the high standard required to participate in the match. Conditions apply as per the above criteria.

I’m a registered club player in an overseas location. Am I eligible to nominate?Yes. The same conditions apply for you as per a footballer from a remote location. Although nominations from overseas players are welcome, if you do meet the criteria as outlined above and are drafted, you will need to make your own way to the match and at your own expense.

What is the minimum age for the Draft?You must be a minimum 17 years of age by the date of the Exhibition Game. If you are under 18 years of age, you should ensure a parent/guardian signs the form too.

KEY DATES FOR THE AFL WOMEN’S DRAFT

2013 Players delisted Tuesday, March 4: Retirees, long-term injured and delisted players will be announced

Draft nominations openMonday, March 10: Online Nomination Form open

Draft nominations closeMonday, March 31: Online Nomination Form closes

Draft conductedMonday, May 19: Live-streamed to venues in each capital city.

Adelaide SANFL Chairman’s Room, AAMI Stadium, Turner Dve, West LakesBrisbane AFLQ Boardroom, Cansdale St, YerongaDarwin AFL NT Boardroom, TIO Stadium, Abala Rd, MararraHobart Check room availabilityMelbourne Etihad Stadium Docklands, Melbourne Check room availabilityPerth Patersons Stadium Boardroom, Gate 6, Subiaco Rd, SubiacoSydney AFL NSW/ACT Boardroom, Sheridan Building, Moore Park Road, Moore Park

Jan CooperAFL Manager Female Development

2014

NOMINATE NOWTHE FUTURE IS IN YOUR HANDS