St Kilda, Richmond, the Gold Coast Suns and the West Coast Eagles have all been officially accepted as new licensees for the 2020 NAB AFL Women’s season.

AFL Chief Executive Officer Gillon McLachlan wrote to all four Clubs this week informing them of the AFL Commission’s decision.

In September 2017, the AFL set financial, talent development and organisational requirements for all Clubs to meet in order for their application to be successful, which have now all been met.

In preparation for their entry into the competition;

  • The four new teams for 2020 have all established open age academies
  • The Clubs will assist with the development of players in their respective academies with the aim of those players forming part of each Club’s inaugural playing list
  • All four Clubs will be able to pre-list up to seven players from their academy across 2019 (January-August)
  • In addition, each Club will be able to pre-list up to three players born in the year 2001 from their designated region in January / February 2019
  • The remainder of their list build will occur following the completion of the 2019 NAB AFLW Season

The announcement is one of several recent developments highlighting the exciting future of the AFLW competition and the new opportunities that will now be open for young girls across the country.

Head of Women’s Football Nicole Livingstone said, “The confirmation today of four new Clubs joining the AFLW competition in 2020 is yet another significant step forward and I congratulate the successful Clubs,”

“Not only is this further opportunity for the next generation of talented women to play elite Australian Football, but also one for fans of the game as we welcome more AFLW teams wearing iconic club colours.”

“I thank the AFL Commission for their vision for women’s football and for assisting women across the country with increased opportunity to turn their passion into talent, providing the solid foundations the women’s competition needs for the journey we are on.” 

AFL Chief Executive Officer Gillon McLachlan said the expansion Clubs are evidence of the growing opportunity and responsibility the AFL has in nurturing the AFLW competition as it enters its third season.

“The AFL Commission has had to balance the aspiration of creating the best women’s competition in Australia while maximising engagement and opportunity through our Clubs,” Mr McLachlan said.

“We congratulate the four successful Clubs, but also caution all our industry that this league is still young and requires not just passion but continued hard work to build solid foundations.

“The success of women’s football is ultimately dependent on our whole industry working together,” Mr McLachlan said.

NAB has supported the footy community since 2002, providing girls and boys with a clear pathway from NAB AFL Auskick through to the NAB AFL Rising Stars Program all the way to the big time.

In the third year as a principal partner of the AFLW, NAB is proud to once again be supporting the competition in 2019, providing many women the opportunity of playing in the big time and many girls across the country with something to aspire to.