All girls NAB AFL Auskick matches will feature at half-time during Round 6 of the 2024 Toyota AFL Premiership Season. Picture: Riley Lockett

Young girls who love their footy will take centre stage in Round 6 of the 2024 Toyota AFL Premiership Season as ‘All Girls’ games feature during the NAB AFL Auskick half-time experience.

This will see more than 600 girls around the country ‘find their awesome’ by pulling on their boots, showcasing their skills and having fun with their friends at an AFL match.

Now in its second year, the initiative aims to boost awareness, opportunities, and experiences for girls to participate in Aussie Rules, and links to the Women and Girls Action Plan by creating dedicated pathways for girls to connect with footy.

As the game continues to grow, there are now more than 500 ‘all girls’ groups offered at Auskick Centres across Australia and participation for girls is up seven per cent nationally compared to the same time last year.

While girls make up just over 20 per cent of current registered Auskickers, the League is striving to increase that number to more than 25 per cent by the end of the season. 

More than 600 young girls will run out across the country at half-time during Round 6. Picture: Riley Lockett

AFL National Women and Girls Football Lead and AFL Hall of Famer, Debbie Lee, said she was looking forward to seeing young girls take to the field at half-time this weekend.

“This is a terrific initiative for young girls and their families and it’s going to be wonderful to watch them run out in the iconic red and black NAB AFL Auskick uniforms and create lifelong memories together,” Lee said.

“Auskick is often the first connection a child has with our game and we want girls to feel comfortable and included in playing footy, so we need to ensure we’re constantly looking at the best ways to support their development and that we're creating welcoming environments to nurture their love of Aussie Rules.

“For some, this means playing alongside other girls which is why it’s important we offer dedicated all girls groups at Auskick Centres and provide experiences like this within the program.

“As a team we’re committed to our vision outlined in the Women and Girls Action Plan and I’m pleased that girls’ participation is rising year on year, strengthening the base of our game. At the moment we’re up seven per cent nationally compared to this time last year and we’d love to see girls make up more than 25 per cent of total Auskickers in 2024.”

The AFL's Women’s Football Vision has a stated objective that the game will strive for equal participation and representation across all levels of the game by the end of this decade.

For more information about NAB AFL Auskick and to register, visit: play.afl/auskick

About NAB AFL Auskick

  • NAB AFL Auskick is an introductory program for kids to connect with Australian rules football while having lots of fun and being active – it’s time to ‘Find Your Awesome!’  
     
  • In weekly sessions, kids will focus on building football skills and playing in a safe and super fun setting. Expect small groups, heaps of games and parent/guardian involvement.   
     
  • NAB AFL Auskick invites all children aged 5-12 no matter their knowledge, skill or ability, to participate in the non-contact program.   
     
  • NAB AFL Auskick offers an inclusive environment for everyone to get involved, with optional All Girls Auskick programs and All Abilities Auskick centres available.    
     
  • More than 126,000 boys and girls participated in NAB AFL Auskick programs at more than 4,000 centres across the country in 2023 – setting a new record!  
     
  • Auskick participants have the chance to feature in mini games during halftime at elite AFL and AFLW matches throughout the season. A once-in-a-lifetime experience for many kids! 
     
  • Upon signing up, all Auskickers get an awesome pack filled with cool footy goodies not available anywhere else.  
     
  • Visit play.afl/auskick for more details.