Leading into the AFL Women’s Round this week, the prominent women in Queensland football are being recognised with today’s profile highlighting the efforts of influential junior coach Carol Berry.

 

A primary school teacher by trade, Carol Berry first had AFL input at the schoolboy representative level in 1985, where she would go on to manage and coach at district, regional and state levels.

 

Carol’s continued support of school sport was recognised some years later with AFL Queensland naming the nine-a-side primary schoolgirls competition after her. One of the great thrills of her life, Berry was blown away by the gesture.

 

“It was a true honour. I was very touched that AFLQ would recognise my contribution in such a public way,” Berry said.

 

“It’s great that they put in a separate competition from the boys. It’s a real step forward.”

 

With the Carol Berry Cup limited to select schools throughout south-east Queensland, Berry believes that girls’ AFL development would really start to be seen if the concept was taken state, and nationwide.

 

“I’d love to see a girls primary school Australian football competition expanded across all states. It’s a growing sport for girls to play and it would be lovely to see them highlighted in their own competition.”

 

Carol has received many honours over her coaching career. But she firmly believes that watching those she has coached develop their game and continue playing at higher levels is something she takes great pleasure from – players like Jason Akermanis, Robert Copeland and Cheynee Stiller.

 

“I’ve been able to follow the careers of some of the boys I coached back when they were 12 years old. To see them end up playing AFL at the elite level is a real thrill.”

 

 

The involvement of women and girls in Australian football is fundamental to the overall growth and development of our game.

 

Women’s Round provides a public platform to recognise and celebrate the roles females play at all levels of the sport – from the grassroots to the elite competition.

 

The AFL and AFL Queensland are committed to providing pathways for women and girls to be involved in Australian football.

 

In 2008, participation in dedicated female football programs and competitions grew by 54% nationally – a fantastic result which we hope to build on in 2009.

 

As well as participation, vast numbers of females are involved in every aspect of football – whether it is umpiring, coaching, volunteering or working in a variety of capacities for a club, league, state or nationalbody. This commitment is critical to the successful operation of Australian football.

 

Importantly, women and girls also demonstrate their passion for Australian football as fans and supporters – with females comprising 43% of our television viewing audience and 229,000 committing to an AFL or club membership this year.

 

Women’s Round is an opportunity to pay tribute to these women and girls who not only keep our game alive, but contribute so positively to its future.