Epworth recommits to local female football

AFL BARWON and Epworth HealthCare will continue its female football partnership for the next three years, after signing an extension.

The extension takes Epworth’s commitment to female football in the Barwon region through until the end of the 2026 season.

AFL Barwon regional general manager Edward Wilson said the sporting body was proud to extend its partnership with Epworth, which dates back to the inaugural AFL Barwon senior female football season in 2017.

“Since the inception of female football within the Barwon region, clubs and AFL Barwon alike have experienced significant growth, and without the support of Epworth as a long-term partner of female football, this growth couldn’t be sustained,” Mr Wilson said.

“We’re extremely proud of what this partnership delivers to female football programs and clubs across the region, and thank Epworth for their ongoing collaboration and enthusiasm to sustainably support the future of football for all within the Barwon region.”

Mr Wilson added female football is AFL Barwon’s largest growing participation segment, observing a more than 17 per cent increase in player numbers from 2022 to 2023.

Epworth’s recommitment means it will continue as the major partner of female football in the region, with naming rights to all divisions of senior female football and first divisions of the competitive underage female competitions.

Epworth branding will be on all senior female, under 19 female and under 16 match footballs, as well as the playing jumpers for these competitions.

“For the last six seasons, Epworth has proudly supported AFL Barwon through the Epworth Cup and Epworth Female Finals Series and that will continue for another three years,” Epworth Geelong interim executive general manager Lisa Garner said.

“Epworth HealthCare is excited to extend a long-standing partnership with AFL Barwon.

“As part of our partnership with AFL Barwon, we are thrilled to continue our support of grassroots netball in the Bellarine and Geelong senior netball competitions.”