AFL Victoria has today announced a streamlined calendar for women’s football with the 2021 NAB League Girls and rebel VFL Women’s seasons to begin in February next year, running concurrently with the 2021 NAB AFL Women’s Competition.

Following the integration of the female and male talent pathways, aspiring AFLW players will be provided with the increased opportunities for elite development while also retaining their connection to community football.

The 2021 rebel VFLW Competition will see 12 clubs compete with the number of games and format to be similar to previous seasons. 

AFL Victoria is pleased to confirm Port Melbourne will enter the competition for the first time after they accepted a VFLW licence following the decision by Richmond not to field a team in the 2021 rebel VFLW season.

The remaining clubs include; Carlton, Casey Demons, Collingwood, Darebin Falcons, Essendon, Geelong, Hawthorn, North Melbourne, Southern Saints, Western Bulldogs and Williamstown.

The 2021 VFLW list rules are currently being finalised. As previously communicated, there will be no license fees payable by any club to participate in the 2021 rebel VFLW Competition.

For the first-time, NAB League coaches will be full-time positions and work across both the Girls and Boys programs to ensure the same opportunities for both programs. 

These coaches will be supported by assistants who will have experience working with girls and boys football programs.

The NAB Under-19 Girls National Championships carnival is proposed to be held towards the end of the NAB League Girls season in April 2021.

AFL Victoria will continue to review all arrangements including return-to-train and return-to-play protocols in consultation with clubs, the Victorian State Government and respective Health Officers to ensure the health and safety of everyone involved in these competitions remains the priority.

As we've been unable to see our women's team in action in 2020 - let's look back at our all-time favourite VFLW memory below...