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AFL Queensland has granted Morningside Panthers provisional licences to enter the Bond University QAFLW competition in 2025.
Morningside is the largest Queensland club for female participation, with a strong youth girls' program, and is developing a Panthers Female Football Excellence Program to nurture and develop talent from juniors to seniors. The club has made significant upgrades to their facilities, which are ongoing, including equitable changerooms, and have been strong performers in the QFAW Division 1 competition in recent years.
Mitchell Simpson, AFL Queensland’s Competition Manager, said it was exciting to expand the QAFLW. The Panthers were elevated to the QAFLW because of their holistic approach to female high-performance programs. “Morningside has heavily invested in their women’s programs and because of this, have experienced enormous growth in female participation right across the club” he said.
“They have been granted a provisional licence to enter the QAFLW not only because of their strong on-field presence, but because of their holistic approach to women’s high performance.
“They have recently appointed a Female Football Excellence Manager, Dr Georgia Black, who has previously worked as Head of Performance at the Queensland Firebirds, and they continue to make important upgrades to their facilities for their athletes. “We have been impressed with Morningside’s approach to their female programs and we look forward to working closely with them in 2024 to welcome them into the QAFLW in 2025.”
David Diamond, Morningside Panthers’ Senior Football President said the club was delighted to joining the Bond University QAFLW competition in 2025. “It is a great honour for the club to play at State league level. We look forward to competing strongly and further strengthening the growth of female AFL across our wider community. To have our juniors to be able move through to the highest level of Community football in the State is extremely exciting for our players, their families, and our community”
The Panthers developed a plan to establish a Panthers senior women’s team in 2018 and build a grassroots junior pipeline to support Panthers playing at QAFLW state level. The granting of QAFLW licence is fitting reward for the hard work and commitment of players, volunteers, and sponsors over the past 6 years.
There are several Panther volunteers to thank for consistently and passionately leading the club in developing our female program and providing the necessary infrastructure. They include;
- Chairman Paul Mazoletti and MAFC Director Deb Macqueen
- Senior Football President, David Diamond and Vice President Women, Janet Martin
- Senior Coaches, Clint Lauristen, Alan McGarth and Michael Mcgrath and Senior Women’s team Captains Tammie Lauritsen, Nat Black and Kahla McKinless
- Juniors President Scott Milner and Girls Coordinator Bec Goodwin
We also thank all our coaches, players, and parents at both senior and junior levels.
Also, to all sponsors your support has been magnificent.
Thank you.