Seven community football representatives from across Australia have been acknowledged for their outstanding contribution to women’s football as part of the 2022 Chemist Warehouse AFLW Community Ambassador program.

Established in 2021, the program recognises members from the football community who have been instrumental in facilitating and nurturing the remarkable growth of women’s and girls’ football.

Participants in the 2022 Chemist Warehouse AFLW Community Ambassador program include Samantha Greene (VIC), Kristie Whittard (NSW/ACT), Jeanne Ronald (QLD), Kylie Duggan (NT), Nicole Rodgers (WA), Jodie Reid (SA), and Sarah Shepherd (TAS) who were selected by the AFL for their significant service to women’s football.

Each 2022 Chemist Warehouse AFLW Community Ambassador receives a $1,000 grant from the Women’s Football Fund to donate to the club of their choice, a virtual networking event hosted by AFL General Manager of Women’s Football, Nicole Livingstone and the opportunity to be involved in the 2022 NAB AFLW Season Seven Finals Series.

AFL General Manager of Women’s Football Nicole Livingstone said the 2022 Chemist Warehouse AFLW Community Ambassador program provided a great opportunity to thank and acknowledge the tireless work of community representatives who contribute to women’s football. 

"It brings me great joy to recognise all seven of our ambassadors and thank them for all that they do," Ms Livingstone said.

"It's the hard work and dedication from many people and communities that has contributed to seven successful seasons of the NAB AFLW competition. With the help from people like our 2022 Chemist Warehouse AFLW Community Ambassadors, we continue to grow the game at a grassroots and state level. Each of these women should be extremely proud of their contribution to this growth. 

"I'd like to thank Chemist Warehouse for their longstanding support of this initiative, of the NAB AFLW competition, and of the game across all levels," Ms Livingstone said.

Chemist Warehouse Director, Mario Tascone, said that they were proud to be supporting the program and the NAB AFLW Competition. 

"Chemist Warehouse is thrilled to be supporting the 2022 Chemist Warehouse AFLW Community Ambassador program and acknowledge the tremendous work of this year’s community football representatives.

"Chemist Warehouse has supported the AFLW competition since its inception and we look forward to continuing to champion women’s football throughout the community and at an elite level," Mr Tascone said.

See below for more information on each of the 2022 Chemist Warehouse AFLW Community Ambassadors:

Samantha Greene – VIC – La Trobe University FC 
Samantha played her first game of football in 2009 and quickly developed into an on-field leader. It didn’t take long for her to further develop into an off-field leader – taking the position of Club President for three years. In her first year as President the club faced many challenges, but Samantha rose to them all, effectively turning the club around and setting the course it is on today. She is the club's leading goal kicker with the Women's Goal Kicking award now named in her honour. While stepping away from club administration, Samantha is still taking a leadership role within the women's playing group. She has led in multiple areas of the women's development within the football club over a sustained period of time, right from the infancy of women's football, both as a player and as an administrator.  She is respected by all the La Trobe Football Club community for her work on and off the field.

Kristie Whittard – NSW/ACT – Manly Bombers JAFL and Manly Wolves FC
Girls can definitely play footy, according to Kristie from Manly – or Twiggy as she is better known. Born into a generation when women didn’t play, this challenge is what has driven Kristie’s commitment to making football a sport where girls and women do play. Kristie’s energy, knowledge and love for the game is apparent the very second you meet her. Passionate about empowering women on and off the field, Kristie has been instrumental in nurturing junior girls in the transition to women’s footy, and advocating for improved female coaching pathways.  As a player, Kristie leads with her heart and inspires others to be their best - whether they play for her team or not. She’s well known for her rousing speeches, ability to adjust her coaching message, and her success in building an inclusive team culture.  Kristie devotes hours of her time developing players’ skills and footy IQ at community, Academy and AFLW level. At Manly Bombers and Wolves, she’s first to get to the oval and the last to leave –always with a footy tucked under her arm and time for anyone who wants to have a kick. Kristie’s contribution to grassroots footy in NSW is significant. She’s dedicated to growing AFL and ensuring girls and women can play footy, regardless of their cultural upbringing and circumstances. When she's not kitted out in pink as the runner, or playing or coaching – you’ll find her on the boundary line: watching on and cheering, for the love of AFL.

Jeanne Ronald – QLD – Bakers Creek AFC
Jeanne has had a huge impact in the growth of football in her region. From club training to making sure everyone is informed prior to the season, Jeanne has always been an advocate for the sport. Jeanne has made major contributions to the club – supporting a Pride Round, Indigenous Round and Breast Cancer Pink (Ladies Day) Guernsey’s for the Senior Women and Indigenous Round for the Senior Men. Celebrating these special rounds emphasizes the commitment to growing the game and including all peoples. Jeanne has worked tirelessly on a lighting project which after four long years is coming to fruition; resulting in Bakers Creek and other clubs having the ability to play night games, which during the hotter months of the season is critical in player safety. Jeane's effort across every aspect of football, from inclusion, to operation, to player safety promotes an environment where people across the region feel empowered and capable to play football. 

Kylie Duggan – NT – Darwin Buffaloes
Kylie has done it all – from coaching multiple Junior teams, to managing teams and has been involved in mentoring and assisting other coaches during training and game days. As captain of the women’s team, Kylie gives up her personal time to attend extra training sessions, giving advice and being a friendly face to all young females. Kylie’s impact is unmeasurable and widely known throughout the sporting community. Her leadership, dedication, talent, and community work with young women is outstanding. Young players within the club want to wear her number, ask for photos, and have joined the club after having Kylie work with them through the Star’s program at their school. The numbers of Juniors have increased thanks to Kylie’s hard work, commitment, and her ability to make people feel connected.  Kylie also brings the best out of people and sets the standard at a higher level through her actions on the footy field. She is a tough, fair and honourable player who is very well respected by everyone she comes in contact with. 

Nicole Rodgers – WA – Warwick Greenwood JFC
Nicole has been a staunch advocate in promoting women in leadership positions at her football club and at others. She is passionate about the role that females can play in all levels of the game and is an inspirational role model for women at all levels. Nicole helps drive female participation and engagement in football and provides regular feedback to the WAFC on ways that it can further support female club leaders. Nicole has been a huge advocate for ensuring an inclusive club culture, whether it is multicultural, indigenous or female participants, and is always the first to connect with the local families and make them feel welcome. Nicole is outstanding in the work she does as she drives the club committee to ensure equal opportunities, resourcing and facility usage for males and females.

Jodie Reid – SA – South Augusta FC
Jodie has acted as team manager for at U15 and U18 level at the South Augusta FC for several years. She took on the club`s AFLW role at the end of 2019 when answering the call for help as this part of the club was growing rapidly. South Augusta FC instigated AFLW in Port Augusta in 2016. Success over the following four years was mixed. In 2020 Jodie volunteered to take the load off another committee person to take on the above roles.  Jodie has had an enormous impact on AFLW in Port Augusta and at SAFC in particular. The number of female players is at an all-time high and growing thanks to Jodie. She is always accessible for girls and women to discuss their pathways and promote AFLW.

Sarah Shepherd – TAS – Northern Tasmanian Football Umpires Association
Sarah has been an integral part of the Northern Tasmanian Football Umpires Association since getting involved. Always willing to lend a hand where needed, no job is ever too big or small. Sarah was the Vice-President of the association for one season in which she made a profound impact before moving into the presidency, a role in which she has thrived. In year two she has made an incredibly positive impact in changing the culture and stigmas surrounding the association and has positioned it in a way where it is more family friendly and inclusive, creating a thriving culture. She has been a driving factor in drastically increasing female participation and is the epitome of a leader in every sense of the word. Her work ethic, drive and natural ability to bring people together have been key factors in increasing our female participation and making them feel respected, safe and comfortable in a male dominated sport, she has worked tirelessly with her executive and committee to ensure this and to keep these girls loving their football and coming back.