All Club Update Girls and Women’s Football Celebration 2025
August 1, 2025
Hello Roys families,
Please find some updates related to our recent Girls and Women’s Football Celebration.
FJFC Women and Girls Chartered Club
FJFC is proud to have achieved Women & Girls Community Football Charter status for another year.
It’s testament to the work of our committee, volunteers and members, and our ongoing commitment to champion the females within our club.
The FJFC (Fitzroy Junior Football Club) is a signatory to the AFL’s Women & Girls Community Football Charter, demonstrating its commitment to creating a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for women and girls in community football.
This charter outlines the expectation that clubs will champion women and girls by providing opportunities, visibility, access, and investment.
The FJFC has been recognized as a Women & Girls Chartered Club and is actively working to update its members on initiatives related to this commitment.
Girls and Women’s Football Celebration Wrap-up
On Sunday 27 July 2025, the Girls Development and events team, hosted the Girls and Women’s Football Celebration 5th Quarter Event at BSO Community Hall.
The “Women & Girls Celebration” event was a special evening dedicated to celebrating the remarkable achievements, passion, and growing representation of females within the club and the broader football community.
The event underscored Fitzroy’s unwavering commitment to providing the best possible experience for enjoyment, participation, and development for all its female players and programs.
The evening commenced with a warm welcome from Club President Bridget, who set the tone for a night of recognition and inspiration. David Sanguenido, representing one of the club’s valued sponsors Jellis Craig, who shared words of support, highlighting the crucial role of community backing in fostering talent.
Bridget then introduced Milika De Santis, who passionately spoke about her personal history with girls and community football, and the deep commitment that drives her involvement.
A series of engaging and light-hearted interviews, expertly led by Milika, brought to light the diverse journeys and successes of Fitzroy’s female football stars and their supporters:
- Junior Player Milestones: The spotlight first shone on our talented junior players. Annie, an U11 player, was celebrated for her incredible 50th game, a significant feat for her age. U14.2G co-captain Tilly and leadership group member Kit shared insights into their team’s outstanding season, comfortably sitting atop the Division 2 ladder.
- Their success, they noted, is greatly aided by their assistant coach, Molly Eastman. U16 player Tessa was also honoured for her 100th game, a testament to her dedication, and spoke about her experiences playing with the Calder Cannons and her journey to Fitzroy from Brunswick Juniors.
- Dedicated Coaches: The event then recognized the pivotal role of coaches in nurturing young talent. Ben, Head Coach of the YG1 team, discussed the unique aspects of coaching girls versus boys and why he and his daughter chose to join Fitzroy.
- Molly Eastman, Assistant Coach of the U14.2 Girls, shared her invaluable experience as a VFLW (Collingwood) and former AFLW (Sydney, Richmond) player, emphasizing that “footy is footy, no matter the gender,” and her work with the AFL on education programs.
- Pathways to Senior Football: The discussion extended to the senior level with Nathan, Head Coach of the Senior Women at Fitzroy, who passionately spoke about the importance of girls staying in sport and the exciting prospect of Youth Girls transitioning to the senior program in 2026.
- Claudia, Head Coach of the U16.1G’s, captivated the audience with her journey from Auskick through to senior player and coach, highlighting her involvement in multiple Fitzroy Girls and Senior Women’s premierships, her role as a YJFL umpire, and her recent recognition as YJFL Female of the Year.
- AFLW Inspiration: The evening culminated with inspiring stories from Fitzroy’s own AFLW trailblazers. Zoe Hargreaves, a Richmond AFLW player, recounted her extensive junior career at Fitzroy, from U10s through to representative teams and the Northern Knights, and shared her resilience during her ACL injury recovery.
- Her sister, Phoebe Hargreaves, followed a similar path, now captaining the Northern Knights and potentially registering for the 2025 draft. Nell Morris-Dalton, a Collingwood AFLW player (previously Western Bulldogs), spoke about her early days playing football with her brothers and her staunch belief that “girls can do anything that a boy can.”
The event was a powerful demonstration of the incredible females in the Fitzroy community and the tireless efforts of everyone who works hard to support the girls and the girls’ game. Junior players were given the unique opportunity to interact with their role models, fostering a sense of connection and future aspiration.
Our club president Bridget Smith concluded the evening with heartfelt thank-yous to all, Nick Simms Girl Development, FJFC events, FJFC Committe, guests, volunteers, sponsors, and families whose support makes events like these, and the entire girls’ program, possible.
The Fitzroy Junior Football Club is immensely proud of its female players and the vibrant community that champions their journey. Events like this reinforce the club’s commitment to fostering a supportive and empowering environment where girls can thrive, both on and off the field.
The event recognises the talent and dedication of our female players and leaders, while honouring the amazing support from coaches, volunteers and everyone involved in our strengthening girls program.
We want our girls to not only love their footy but to build strong, lasting connections and feel inspired to chase their goals.
5th Quarter Highlight Photos
You will see the awesome event photo captured the spirit of unity and celebration at “The 5th Quarter Round 12 Girls & Women’s Football Celebration”.
Another great FJFC 5th Quarter club event
Shout out to our sponsor Jellis Craig, supporting Girls Football.
We would like to thank David Sanguinedo, from Jellis Craig Inner North, a Gold Sponsor for supporting FJFC and attending our 5th Quarter Event, and receiving a No 1 Roys Jumper.
#GoRoys! #JuniorFootball #WomenInFooty #GirlsCanPlay #CommunitySpirit