The Kyneton women's football team has been granted permission to join the Central Victorian Football League after a difficult year marked by a hostile playing environment, highlighting issues of player retention in women's football.
The recently formed Wedge-Tailed Eagles Football Club, which consists of over 30 women players who departed from Kyneton Football Netball Club due to a toxic environment, has finally received approval from the AFL to compete in the Central Victorian Football League (CVFL). Their journey illustrates the challenges faced by women's football teams in Australia, where despite a growing participation rate, many players are leaving the sport due to negative experiences.
This trend is troubling as women and girls are increasingly engaging in footy, yet the resignations of players due to unfriendly environments point to deeper systemic issues within local clubs. Wedge-Tailed Eagles club president Natalie Korinfsky shared their struggles of finding a suitable league that would accept them after facing rejections from multiple local associations. The need for safe and supportive environments in clubs is paramount for retaining female players.
The story of the Wedge-Tailed Eagles underscores the remarkable growth of women's participation in football but serves as a cautionary tale about the factors driving women away from the sport. It highlights a critical moment for league administrators and club leaders to address these issues more comprehensively, ensuring that inclusiveness and respect become fundamental principles that underpin women's participation in the game.
