North Melbourne’s Bridget Barker has been selected as a finalist for the AFL Woman of the Year (Emerging Leaders category) following her amazing contribution to the game as a player, coach and employee.
Outside of her regular work as Sport and Recreation Coordinator in The Huddle – North’s award winning community and educational facility – Barker has taken on a number of critical roles to actively support young women.
“I’m committed to volunteering and working in the AFL industry to increase opportunities for all Australians, and particularly girls and women to experience and enjoy our game,” Barker told NMFC.com.au.
“I’m passionate about AFL and believe this game has something to offer for everyone. I love watching a young woman realise that AFL is truly a sport that has the capacity to empower them in ways others sports don't or can't.”
Barker is responsible for running football programs for boys and girls from many different cultures in-line with The Huddle’s programs and is also an inspirational coach of the Melbourne University Youth Girls side.
“Something I’m most proud of is that through my work at The Huddle, I’ve been able to encourage young women from ‘non-traditional’ AFL backgrounds to play in the local competition, enhancing social cohesion through sport,” Barker explained.
“There are six girls in the under 13’s who are from migrant families who play each week and five girls, including one in 2014 who had only been in Australia for 18 months, in the under 18’s who have found and embraced AFL football through The Huddles’ programs and some encouragement.
“I've seen and encouraged many young women make that realisation whether it is in a playing, coaching or administrative capacity.”
Barker personifies the belief that the AFL’s history shows it to be the true sport of inclusion in Australia – and that its future is all about inclusion for women and new arrivals.
She coached the Melbourne University Women's Football Club (MUWFC) Youth team to its first premiership this year after making the grand final in 2014 and is also leading efforts to formalise a five-year-long relationship between the club and university.
“As coach of the under 18’s at MUWFC in 2013 we had 12 players, by the end of 2014 we had 24 players and after finishing 5th at seasons end we made the Grand Final. This year I’ve worked closely with the local boys team, Flemington Colts, to set up a joint under 13’s girls team,” she said.
“I’m proud as the Junior Coordinator at MUWFC to provide a full female junior pathway with female coaches and role models from an all-girls Auskick group at our local Arden St centre (coached by one of our senior players) to under 13’s (coached by one of our under 18’s players) then under 18’s.”
North Managing Director and CEO Carl Dilena said the club showed no hesitation in nominating Barker for the prestigious award.
“Bridget works tirelessly in women’s football and is incredibly passionate about growing the game,” he said.
“This nomination is a credit to her work ethic and drive and is much deserved.
“We are incredibly proud of her work and everyone in The Huddle for that matter.”
Barker believes her job is a chance to make a real difference.
“To have been, and continue to be in a position where I am promoting the game for and to all people, particularly women and girls is something I’ve embraced wholeheartedly,” she said.
“With young women and anyone else, I openly share my experiences of being a woman who operates in a male dominated environment and sport and I speak about how it's not a burden but more a privilege to be able to educate and expose people to the fastest growing segment of our game - women and girls participation in AFL.
“Working at North I’ve been able to have conversations with many people about the importance of women in football.”
Bridget Barker
- 2005–2009 and 2015: Played for MUWFC, included league voted “best team player” 2007
- 2010-2011: Assisted co-coaches of MUWFC under 18’s
- 2012/2013: Volunteered then worked in Docker River a Remote Community in NT, running football clinics and games.
- 2013–current: Appointed head coach of MUWFC Youth Girls
- Oct 2013- current: Elected Junior Coordinator in an executive role on the MUWFC committee.
- 2013: Volunteer Huddle NMFC Indigenous academy
- 2013/2014: Coach of Huddle Girls Unity Cup Multicultural team
- 2013/2014: Coordinator Victorian Indigenous Female Kickstart program
- 2014: AFL Vic Game Development officer, often running all girl groups at Auskick centres
- 2014: Awarded MUWFC most improved coach award
- 2014-current: Appointed Sport and recreation Coordinator The Huddle NMFC
- 2015: Instrumental in the setup of Flemington MUGARS, under 13 girls team
- 2015: Assistant coach SMJFL Youth Girls interleague team in Melb Metro Championships.
The Football Woman of the Year will be presented on 1 October at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne.
Click here for more information on the finalists
