North Melbourne, in partnership with Tradeswomen Australia, are proud to launch Freestyle - Women in Trades Program.

The initiative is focused on attracting, retaining, supporting and empowering young women and non-binary people to qualified trades in the building and construction sectors. 

Currently, less than two per cent of women and non-binary people are enrolled in industry trade apprenticeships and make up less than three per cent of Australia’s skilled trades sector.

“For many years, societal norms and a lack of development opportunities made it difficult to attract and retain women and non-binary people to undertake a trade in the building and construction sector,” North Melbourne acting CEO Chris Simmonds said.

“As a football club, we have the opportunity to influence and inspire change in the community. We look forward to taking the Freestyle – Women in Trades program forward as a vehicle to create conversation and challenge perceptions.”

Freestyle Ambassador and fourth-year apprentice plumber Jasmine Garner is excited to spread the word on Women in Trades to young women and girls.

“I started my apprenticeship when I was 23 or 24, which was quite late,” Garner said. 

“If I knew more about trades and that women could actually do one at school, I would have looked to get into it sooner and qualified a lot sooner.

“I love that I get to be that role model for young women growing up. 

“If they want to play footy at the highest level they can, if they want to do a trade they can.”

Tradeswomen Australia patron Dr Susan Alberti AC is determined to continue to push for societal change.

“We have to provide these pathways for women. There’s so much opportunity there now and we are desperate for tradespeople in this country,” she said.

“There are some amazing young women out there in trades. I see such a commonality between the building side of things and AFLW and how women have had to forge their way through the football world, and I see women in trades doing the same.”

The Freestyle program is open to all. AFL and AFLW members and fans and anyone interested is encouraged to complete an expression of interest form for the first Freestyle – Women in Trades info night in December. 

For more information, visit nmfc.com.au/freestyle