Today marks 2023 International Women's Day, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
Women make a tremendous contribution at all levels of our football club and the ‘Advancement of Women’ is a key pillar of our Diversity Action Plan (DAP).
The Sydney Swans are proud of our existing gender diversity and committed to creating even greater opportunities for women, as well as developing pathways to help female staff and players reach their aspirations.
This year’s International Women’s Day celebrations come on the back of a history making first season into the AFL Women’s competition for the club. Alongside the AFLW team’s inaugural season, the club had the most amount of AFLW members in the competition last season, showcasing the overwhelming amount of support for our women’s program.
Alongside this, the next generation of women are primed to make their mark when their time comes with over 300 young girls and women part of the QBE Sydney Swans Academy program.
As well as an increase in female staff and players with the introduction of the AFLW program, there has also been an increase in women in our AFL football department over recent years, with women having roles in operations, high performance, medical services and player development.
Off the field, across the commercial side of the Sydney Swans, half of our staff are women, while there are three women who help lead the club as part of our six-person executive management team and two women on our Board.
From ensuring our members are well looked after, to medical support for the players, to promoting our players through the media and content, the women of the Sydney Swans occupy a diverse range of roles to represent the club.
On this International Women’s Day, we also reflect on this year’s official theme #EmbraceEquity.
Sydney Swans AFLW player Alana Woodward said she is really fortunate to be part of a club that embraces equity and gives all individuals the tools and support they need to reach their full potential.
“As athletes, we all have different needs,” Woodward said.
“At the Swans, every individual has access to an abundance of resources to perform at our best both physically and mentally, at the highest level of our game and in our daily lives.”
“Our new facility is a great example of this, our AFLW and AFL programs both have access to the same training facilities and every player's wellbeing is prioritised. There's also dedicated spaces for players' study and work commitments to suit individual needs and a creche for staff and player's children.”
Alongside her role as a Sydney Swans player, Woodward also works part-time at the club in the Operations department and in another role away from the club. She hopes in the future AFLW players won’t have to worry about juggling jobs and their football endeavours and be full-time athletes like the league’s male counterparts.
“As AFLW players, we are not yet full-time athletes and we also have work or study commitments that go alongside our role as footballers,” Woodward said.
“There is of course more work that needs to be done as we look to the future of women's footballers being professional, full-time athletes. However we are certainly heading in the right direction.”
The club is also fortunate to have a strong female supporter base, with our L@SS (Ladies @Sydney Swans) group offering female members the opportunity to share their passion for the club with like-minded female supporters.
Long-time L@SS member Lee Dawe says that being part of the L@SS has made being a part of the Swans footy community that much more enjoyable.
"We've made friends from all walks of life coming together to share our common interest in footy," Dawe said.
"Many of us now sit together at the SCG and we sometimes travel together to interstate games having mini holidays.
"There's about 6 or 7 of us L@SS members who sit near each other in Bay 26 and we have the best fun and laughter and are entertained by the footy on the field, and by the fun and friendship in the outer.
"I've never laughed so much as I have with the ladies I've met through L@SS. It's definitely enriched my footy experience."
2023 AFL Memberships are now on sale! AFLW memberships will be on sale closer to the season starting.
Better value, better match day and an all-round better experience. There’s a membership to suit every footy fan in 2023. Be part of something bigger, and better – join today.
