WFNL Expands Women’s Football with Two New Competitions for 2027
The Western Football Netball League (WFNL) is proud to announce the launch of its new Under 8 Girls Competition, a dedicated, stand-alone competition for Under 8 Girls.
The Under 8 Girls competition is designed as an entry-level pathway supporting girls transitioning from Auskick as well as girls brand new to the game. The competition will focus on delivering an enjoyable match-day experience, with smaller team sizes compared to U10 Girls footy, which will maximise involvement, along with no tackling to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for players of all abilities. To play in the Under 8 Girls Competition, you must be born between 1 January 2019 and 30 April 2020.
The WFNL also intends to field a standalone Under 19 Women’s competition. This competition is intended to provide more playing opportunities for participants across the west and strengthen the pathway into senior football. In 2017, the WFNL fielded a standalone U18 Girls competition for the first time, which grew to 10 teams in 2019. COVID played a significant part in the reduction of this age group’s teams, with the league fielding 6 teams or fewer over 2021 – 2024. Due to having fewer than 4 teams in 2025 & 2026, through a partnership with EDFL, WFNL clubs were able to enter teams in the EDFL U19 Women’s competition. To play in the Under 19 Women’s Competition, you must be born between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2010.
The Western Football Netball League is committed to continuing the growth and development of women’s and girls’ football across our region. The league has renewed its commitment to the Women & Girls Community Football Charter and adopted the WFNL Women & Girls Growth Strategy, which aims to create more opportunities for women and girls to participate in football. Being able to field these two age groups will complete the female football pathways from Auskick to Senior Women’s and reinforce the WFNL’s dedication to growing, supporting, and celebrating female participation across all levels of the league.
Registrations for the 2027 season will open November 1st. To register your interest in playing in 2027, you can fill out our expression of interest here: https://form.jotform.com/262938756397074. Some clubs below will also have their own EOI.
We currently have the following clubs looking to field an Under 8 Girls team:
Point Cook – https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/BLNS6JU2Q9
St Bernards – https://form.jotform.com/262938756397074
Williamstown Juniors – https://form.jotform.com/262938756397074
Sunshine Heights – https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1E1VY9926y/
More to come!
The following clubs also have an intention to field a team in the Under 19 Women’s team:
Altona – https://form.jotform.com/262938756397074
Caroline Springs – Under 19 Girls — Caroline Springs Lakers
Manor Lakes – https://form.jotform.com/262938756397074
Point Cook – https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/BLNS6JU2Q9
Werribee Centrals – https://form.jotform.com/262938756397074
Werribee Districts – https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EarjFcg5x/
Yarraville Seddon Eagles – https://form.jotform.com/262938756397074
More to come!
Girls & Women’s Football in WFNL
2011 – Under 12 Girls 6-week competition introduced
2012 – Youth Girls (13-18) introduced. Under 12 Girls competition expanded.
2013 – Youth Girls merged with EDFL and both leagues entered in a combined Under 16 Girls Interleague side.
2016 – EDFL and WFNL field combined U12 Girls, U15 Girls and U18 girls competition.
2017 – WFNL field their standalone U12 Girls, U15 Girls & U18 Girls competitions. WFNL enter standalone U15 Girls Interleague team. WFNL and EDFL fielded a combined Senior Womens Competition.
2018 – WFNL fields their standalone Senior Womens competition.
2019 – WFNL introduced U10 Girls.
2024 – WFNL introduced U13 Girls Interleague team
2025 – WFNL introduced U14 Girls Interleague team and fielded Senior Women’s Interleague for the first time
2027 – WFNL introduces a second U14 & U15 Girls side in Interleague. WFNL intends to introduce U8 Girls competition. WFNL intends to field standalone U19 Womens competition.
Impact of COVID
COVID – In 2019, there were 13 Senior Women teams, 10 Under 18s team, 15 Under 15s teams, 8 Under 12s teams and 5 Under 10s teams.
COVID heavily impacted the U18 age group, with 5, 4, 6 and 4 teams from 2021 – 2024. In 2025 & 2026, through a partnership with EDFL, WFNL clubs were able to enter teams in EDFL U19s competition.
The Under 10 Girls competition went into recess in 2021, before having 2, 4, 8, 6 & 7 teams from 2022 – 2026.
In 2027, we will celebrate 10 years of Senior Women’s Football in the WFNL and look to introduce an Under 8 Girls competition and intend to field standalone Under 19 Womens competition. This will complete the female football pathway from Auskick to Senior Womens.