Female Festival of Sport line-up announced

AFL BARWON is ready to begin five days of celebrating women across the region and the impacts they make in local sport, headlined by a breakfast event featuring a three keynote guests.

Guests at AFL Barwon’s Female Festival of Sport Breakfast will get to hear from Australian Paralympic Gold Medallist Kelly Cartwright, Queenscliff Football Netball Club president Ali Waight, and State level All Abilities Netballer Emma Daffy.

AFL Barwon commission chair Michelle Gerdtz said the organisation was excited to host the event for a third year.

“This is the third year in a row that we’re running the Female Festival of Sport, so not only are we excited, but also all the club are getting involved with the activities through the week as well.

“It’s something we plan on doing for a long time.

“The team has done a great job in getting great panellists for this year’s breakfast and I think it’s a great mix of women showcasing the variety of roles women can play in local sport and professional sport across the region.”

The three guests will be asked questions by event host and Geelong United Basketball head of partnerships and marketing Connie Bolger, touching on a raft of topics from their own experiences to how they perceive the state of local sport in and around the Barwon region.

“I’ve been lucky enough to have some really awesome dealings with her over the past couple of years and coming from a basketball background, it’s important to include as many of the sports we have around the region as part of this festival,” Ms Gerdtz said.

“While we’re AFL Barwon and focus on football and netball predominantly, basketball also plays a really important role in the region in terms of female participation in sport, and Connie’s taken on a strong role with Geelong United so it’s important we have her on as well.”

Female Festival of Sport activities begin as early as Monday, with a Net Set Go Buddy Night to take place at St Albans FNC, connecting BFNL and GFNL representative players with some of the game’s newest participants.

On Wednesday, female Auskickers will get to be mentored by female Geelong Falcons players at Highton Reserve, before Female Club Champions are named at a special presentation on Thursday.

To purchase breakfast tickets or for more information, head to aflbarwon.com.au/afl-barwon-female-festival-of-sport