Fremantle's Kara Donnellan has been named as a part of the inaugural AFL Women's Competition Committee.
Representatives from 10 AFL Club’s will guide the women’s competition into the future. The Committee will be chaired by AFL Commissioner Simone Wilkie, along with AFL General Manager Football Operations Steve Hocking and AFL Head of Women’s Football Nicole Livingstone. The AFLPA will also be represented by General Manager Player Relations Brett Murphy.
The Committee has been established to support the on-going development of the NAB AFL Women’s Competition and will assist the AFL Commission with the future direction of women’s football, covering areas such as the laws of the game, tribunal, the Draft, list rules and player movement, fixturing, talent programs and expansion.
The inaugural AFL Women’s Competition Committee Members:
Debbie Lee - Western Bulldogs, Women’s Football GM
Laura Kane - North Melbourne, Football Operations Manager
Mark Evans - Gold Coast Suns, CEO
Peta Searle - St Kilda, AFLW Senior Coach
Todd Paterson - Melbourne, AFLW List Manager
Phil Harper - Adelaide Crows, GM, Football Administration
Lauren Arnell - Brisbane Lions, AFLW Player
Kara Donnellan - Fremantle, AFLW Player
Alan McConnell - GWS Giants, AFLW Senior Coach
Cain Liddle - Carlton, CEO
Brett Murphy - AFLPA, General Manager Player Relations
Simone Wilkie - AFL, Commissioner
Steve Hocking - AFL, GM Football Operations
Nicole Livingstone - AFL, Head of Women’s Football
AFL Head of Women’s Football Nicole Livingstone said the Committee represents a balanced cross section from the AFL Women’s football industry.
“The Committee represents a good mix of foundation, 2019 and 2020 clubs, a variety of roles performed within the industry, along with a geographical spread, ensuring ideal representation from our industry as we continue to develop the women’s league,” Ms Livingstone said.
“As we prepare for our third AFLW season, this Committee will play a critical role in developing the women’s game in a sustainable way, ensuring its future growth and prosperity.
“I thank all the clubs for their nominations and I look forward to the future collaboration.”
The AFLW Competition Committee will meet three times a year with the first meeting to occur in August.
Committee membership will be for a maximum three years. Other industry heads or industry experts will be invited to Committee meetings on a needs basis.
Like the men’s Competition Committee, the AFL Commission will retain final decision-making authority.
