About our Girls Program

Our dedicated Girls Football Program runs from Auskick through to Under 16s, providing a fun, inclusive, and supportive environment for girls to develop their skills and love of the game.

As an AFL Victoria Women & Girls Chartered Club, we’re proud to champion opportunities for female footballers at every level. With 42% female participation, the Panthers are recognised as one of the leading girls’ football programs in the EDFL.

In 2026, we’ll field multiple teams across all age groups — Under 8, Under 10, Under 12, Under 14, and Under 16 — reflecting the continued strength and growth of our program.

We’re also thrilled to launch our inaugural Under 18.5 Girls team, competing in the EDFL Senior competition — a major milestone for the Panthers and an exciting step in our female football pathway.

As one of the largest junior girls programs in the EDFL, we typically field multiple teams in each age group, offering both an advanced Division One team for experienced players and a development team for girls who are new to the game or still refining their skills.

Training and Games

All football training sessions and home games are held locally at Walter Street Reserve, Ascot Vale and Merv Hughes Oval, Edgewater.

Training is typically on Girls Only Tuesday nights, with an additional session on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, depending on the age group:

- Younger groups: 5:30 – 6:30 pm

- Older groups: 6:30 – 7:30 pm

We run a preseason program from November to December, before regular training resumes in February once school starts.

Games are played on Sunday mornings, with start times between 8:30 am and 2:00 pm, depending on age.

The season runs from April to July, including 14 home-and-away games, followed by finals for teams that qualify. Fixtures and final dates are released in March once all teams are registered with the league.

Coaching

We are proud to have both male and female coaches who are AFL Level 1 accredited and hold a current Working With Children Check (WWCC). Each team typically has 2–3 coaches, with at least one female coach per team to ensure girls receive the guidance and support they need.

Our coaches are further supported by professional paid skills coaches. In 2026, the club will again engage specialist coaches in kicking, ruck and clearance, and tackling — ensuring players develop the correct techniques and learn to play safely and confidently.

The cost of professional coaching is included in player membership fees.

Our coaching team is led by Nic Tenabel, who began her coaching journey with the Panthers and has since built an impressive résumé across junior, VFLW, and NAB League programs, including her current role with the Calder Cannons Girls.

At the heart of our club is a strong community spirit. In past seasons, our older girls have helped teach skills at training and coach games, providing invaluable mentorship to our youngest players. This model of investment and leadership from our senior players ensures every girl benefits, both on and off the field.

As an AFL Victoria Women & Girls Chartered Club, the Panthers are committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and high-quality pathway for girls from Auskick through to our inaugural Under 18.5 Senior team, competing in the EDFL Senior competition in 2026.