Sports broadcaster Neroli Meadows has thrown her support behind Fremantle and the inaugural NAB AFL Women’s competition, saying the league is another huge step forward for women in sport.
A proud West Australian and a Freo fan since inauguration, the Fox Sports presenter recently met up with women’s head coach Michelle Cowan, who presented Meadows with a Freo AFLW supporters pack.
Even before being adopted as a Freo AFLW ambassador, Meadows has found it hard to contain her excitement for the league.
“I can’t wait for the passion that we’re about to see,” Meadows said.
“These girls have been waiting for a really long time to get this opportunity to showcase what they’ve got to give to the game.
“We’ve all waited so long. I’m just beaming right now talking about it. Having the chance to play footy wasn’t even a thing when I was a kid, so to see where we are now is exciting.”
Michelle Cowan presents Neroli Meadows with a Freo AFLW training top
Growing up in sport-obsessed Collie, Meadows instead opted for soccer, basketball and netball.
Now with the AFL Women’s league beamed live around the country through February and March, Meadows predicts a huge change in attitudes towards girls taking up the game.
“I wish I was around for what’s happening now,” Meadows said.
“The thing is, it’s not just the little girls who are picking up a Sherrin, it’s the little boys who see the little girls picking up the Sherrin.
“For them it’s normal, and in thirty years time boys wont see it being any different. By then everyone will play football, it will no longer be a boys game that girls are starting to play, footy will be for everyone.”
“It’s going to be a generational change.”
Working in a male-dominated industry, Meadows can relate to breaking with expectations, but can see change on the horizon.
“Now people see that it’s normal to have women involved in the game, and this is just taking it to another level.”
“AFL membership is already pretty much fifty-fifty (male to female). Women have always loved the game, it’s just that now we get to play it too.”
