Spat on, heckled, treated differently: The issue forcing players out of local footy
Women's grassroots football players across Australia are leaving local clubs due to unequal treatment, harassment, and toxic cultures, despite growth in participation since the AFLW launched in 2017. Players report being spat on, heckled, denied resources, and subjected to sexist remarks, while some clubs dismiss their concerns. Woori Yallock has emerged as a rare example of a club fostering inclusive and supportive conditions for women’s teams. The AFL acknowledges cultural challenges remain, particularly in regional areas, even as it invests in gender equity initiatives.
- ▪Women players report systemic inequities including delayed uniforms, fewer facilities, and being bumped from game timeslots in favor of male teams.
- ▪Several players, including former AFLW athlete Ashleigh Guest, have experienced on-field harassment, including being spat on and heckled during matches.
- ▪Yarra Junction Football Club dismissed allegations of sexism as '90% fiction' but declined to provide contact details for current female members willing to comment.
- ▪An official at a NSW women’s match made viral derogatory comments about players’ bodies, leading to his immediate removal from club duties.
- ▪Despite a $5 million AFL investment in the Women and Girls Action Plan, many regional women’s teams continue to fold due to poor support and club culture.
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