Summary

Postcard promoting the AFL Women's Competition in 2017 with the 2017 season fixture on the reverse. The front features an image of Greater Western Sydney player Emma Swanson.

Physical Description

Postcard with front side featuring athlete kicking a football and reverse a printed competition fixture.

Significance

Statement of Historical Significance:
This item and the broader collection document the formation of the first Australian Football League Women's competition, launched 3 February 2017. This was an event of enormous historical significance - while women have been recorded as playing competition Australian Rules football since the early 20th century, and the AFL supported the introduction of two demonstration matches (Melbourne and Western Bulldogs) in 2015-16, this 2017 competition marked the first officially recognised and supported competition by the AFL. It involved eight teams from five states, playing each other once over seven rounds around Australia, culminating in a top of the table grand final match (won by the Adelaide Crows). Matches were televised and the first match between Collingwood and Carlton at Princes Park on 3 February which saw a crowd 'lockout' (some 27,000 people attended) demonstrated the community interest and support in a women's competition as well as the historical import of the event. The season culminated in the State of Origin match played at Docklands Stadium Melbourne on 2 September 2017. The success of the 2017 season will see the addition of six teams in the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

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