Jess Burger, AFLW Head of Women’s Football & AFLW List Manager/Performance Analyst, Collingwood (via AFL Photos)

The AFL has today introduced a new Women in Football talent program, which will see five leaders from the AFL industry complete a six-month program to strengthen pathways for women into men's footy departments.

The aim for this program is to accelerate women's involvement in the AFL Men's competition and future-proof the game for generations.

The following five women from clubs and the AFL have been selected for the initial program:

  • Kate Mahony, Executive General Manager – AFLW, Sydney Swans
  • Jess Burger, AFLW Head of Women's Football & AFLW List Manager/Performance Analyst, Collingwood
  • Michelle Cowan, Head of Women's Football, West Coast Eagles
  • Juliet Haslam, Head of AFLW, Port Adelaide
  • Sophia Samartzis, Competition Operations Manager - AFL

The chosen women will continue to build their technical skills within the AFL industry, as well as their knowledge and capabilities in the areas of football operations.

The program commenced on November 24 this year, with the first experience for the participants being the AFL men's Draft.

The program's modules include Recruiting and List Management, TPP and Soft Cap Management, Governance and Integrity, Training and Match Day Operations and Media.

“Women are currently underrepresented in Club Football Departments in the men's competition and the Women in Football Talent Program provides talented women who aspire to pursue careers in football departments the opportunity to build key relationships, skills and expertise and a direct pathway to leadership positions," AFL Executive General Manager People Sarah Fair said in a league statement.

Kate Mahony​, Executive General Manager ‑ AFLW, Sydney Swans (Image via AFL Photos)

“The program also provides visibility for women in leadership across a variety of roles in football operations showcasing opportunities for career progression and will assist with retaining and advancing female talent within our industry."

The AFL's commitment to progressing the women's game extends to many other programs that have already been undertaken or are currently in progress.

They are:

  • Women's Coaching Acceleration Program
  • BHP Women's Coaching Academy
  • She Can Coach Program
  • GenW Executive Leadership Program

These programs enabled some of Women's Footy's most prestigious names - including Daisy Pearce and Lauren Arnell - to further enhance their knowledge, skills, and leadership within the world of AFL.

The Women's Coaching Acceleration Program expedites the development of the industry's best women coaches and increases women's coaching roles across the community level through to the AFL.

The She Can Coach program resulted in a 100% increase in women employed across the NAB League since 2021.

The GenW Executive Leadership Program, now in its third year, is a leadership program for talented senior women leaders across footy.

The result of these programs increased roles for women across the footballing world as well as increased women's participation across all aspects of the AFL.