After a public saga lasting more than a year, the women’s football team formerly known as the Kyneton Women’s Football Club has been approved to play in the Central Victorian Football League (CVFL) under a new name, the Wedge-Tailed Eagles Football Club. This decision marks a significant victory for the group of over 30 Victorian women who left the Kyneton Football Netball Club in late 2024, citing a “horrible, volatile environment.” Left without a league for the 2025 season, their plight highlighted broader issues of inclusion in sports.
The announcement comes as women and girls are participating in football in record numbers. However, many face negative experiences at local clubs, leading to a troubling trend of players dropping out. The story of the Kyneton team has resonated nationwide, with Wedge-Tailed Eagles club president Natalie Korinfsky revealing that players from across the country have shared similar experiences of exclusion and inequity.
“We were contacted by people from clubs across the country — women, men and gender-diverse people, players, coaches and volunteers — sharing similar stories of exclusion, inequity and powerlessness,” Korinfsky said.
A Widespread Issue in Sports
A recent report from Federation University and Victoria University highlights the challenges women face in traditionally male-dominated sports. The study, which involved 15 interviews with Australian women and girls, found that while participation rates are rising, retention rates lag behind those of men and boys.
Rochelle Eime, a professor of sport science at Federation University and author of the report, notes that while some athletes have positive experiences, others encounter environments that drive them away from sports.
“These clubs were traditionally male-only clubs. They were set up by males for males and there’s some of the sort of older generations who don’t maybe accept that they’re a space and a place and environment for women and girls [now],” Eime told ABC Sport.
The Change Our Game State of Play survey further underscores these challenges. Released in July 2023, the survey found that more than a quarter of women in community sports considered leaving their clubs due to inequitable treatment. Additionally, over half of the 670 Victorians surveyed reported gendered discrimination, with 55% witnessing or experiencing sexist language and jokes.
Challenges on the Ground
Despite the progress, many women still face significant hurdles at the club level. A local player from Melbourne, who wished to remain anonymous, described the disparity in resource allocation between men’s and women’s teams. She recounted instances where men received the majority of training space, leaving women with limited facilities.
“And the men just run into our side [anyway], not really giving a f***,” she said.
Another issue is the lack of support from leagues and clubs when problems arise. Sophie Ulcoq, a player at North Brunswick Football Club, expressed frustration over the league’s response to complaints about scheduling and resource allocation.
“I wouldn’t even know where to go if I needed to talk to someone about issues,” she said.
Building a Better Future
Korinfsky emphasizes that the biggest barrier to women’s sport is not participation but governance. She argues that policies, structures, and cultural assumptions have not evolved alongside the increasing number of women in sports.
“When we turn up to play sport in our communities, we deserve to know the environment is safe, respectful and equitable. That is not a big demand. It is a basic right,” she said.
The story of the Kyneton women’s team is emblematic of a broader struggle for equality in sports. It raises questions about whether women and gender-diverse individuals have the same opportunities to shape their sporting futures as their male counterparts.
As the Wedge-Tailed Eagles prepare for their debut season in the CVFL, their journey serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for systemic change in sports. Community sport should be inclusive for all, a principle that must extend beyond policy documents to real-world practice.
