AFL National Women's League

Ms HILDYARD (Reynell) (15:49): I rise to pay tribute to a group of women who are part of a growing movement for change, who are very close to my heart and who I am sure all members of this chamber will join me in celebrating. I speak of the remarkable rise of women's Australian Rules football through the AFL Women's competition and of course of our Adelaide Crows women, who made history on Saturday as the inaugural winners of the AFL Women's grand final.

From the announcement of the AFL women's licences, coaches and players all the way through to Saturday's incredible game, the league has captured our imagination. I have met many, many people whose interest and fervour have grown as the season has progressed. I know we have many new fans of AFL and growing legions of girls playing as a result of this league.

I have been privileged to be able to work alongside the Crows to support the growth of women's football in this premiership-winning side. It has brought me great joy to cheer on the sidelines at each of their home games and last weekend as they secured the premiership on the Gold Coast. It has been an incredible ride, and I am deeply proud to support these skilful, courageous and generous women who are leading the way towards seizing the moment that we have before us to finally achieve gender equality in sport.

Getting to meet with the legendary coach of the team, Bec Goddard, extraordinary co-captains, Erin Phillips and Chelsea Randall, and a number of other players and administrators over the past year has been a wonderful experience. These women have smashed a sporting glass ceiling, and they are ambassadors for a new generation of coaches and athletes who we will celebrate as the AFL National Women's League grows and as many other leagues and teams grow.

Last weekend, we saw history made: the end of the first season of the AFL national women's league and the first and I am sure not the last time the Adelaide Crows women brought home the cup. I was privileged enough to be there as these women were presented with their medals and sang their club song together. It is a moment I will not forget.

The advent of this women's league is of course about women being empowered to play football and indeed any other sport at the highest level, but it is about so much more. Each of these Crows women is determined, as am I, to support the growing ranks of girls who are embracing the game as they are inspired by their sporting heroes. Every time I have asked one of these women to speak with a group of girls or attend an event focused on advancing girls and women in sport, they have agreed and been extraordinarily generous with their time and energy, spending hours encouraging those who one day hope to step into their boots.

The advent of the women's league has also hastened the addressing of some of the social issues that the AFL tackles by bringing them to the forefront of our minds. Sexism and homophobia have long been part of our community, but these problems are challenged daily by these women, every one of whom is rightly proud of who they are and determined, like myself and many others are, to ensure that, no matter whether a girl or woman wants to play sport at the highest level, coach it, administer it, write about it or commentate it, they can.

It is heartening to see our female athletes command the respect they deserve on the oval and to see them rightly expect respect for every girl and woman on any playing field, court, pool or anywhere else. Many who once doubted have come around since seeing the skill level of these women, since hearing their personal stories of determination, sometimes in the face of adversity, to live their sporting dreams, and since hearing about the revolution that these women are creating in local clubs and leagues across our state. Here's looking at you, Graham Cornes!

I wait with excitement to see the generations of girls and young women come through who have never been told they have to stop playing once they reach a certain age, who were never told that perhaps netball would be a better sport, and who were never told that playing footy was for their brothers and not them. As this occurs, as the SANFL, the SAWFL and local leagues continue to grow and, as the participation of girls in every sport builds as a result of girls now being able to see what they want to be, this and so many other women's sporting competitions will grow. I cannot wait for what is next.

Thank you very much to our Premier, our Treasurer and our sports minister for backing in women's football. Their support and their deep passion for this league and for many other leagues have played a part in young girls and women believing that they can and have also helped position South Australia as a hub for women's sport—a place where we can truly achieve gender equality in every aspect of every sport.

My huge congratulations again to our Adelaide Football Club AFL Women's team. Their courage and their skill have inspired so many on the oval, and their legacy will continue to inspire girls and women to participate in whichever sport they choose, however and whenever they choose to do so.