Women taking the lead on North Coast

Port Macquarie is just one AFL North Coast club that has embraced female leadership on its committee. Photo: Gren Shoots Marketing

THE strong female presence in the AFL North Coast can no longer seen as being just on the ground.

Women have been a driving force off the ground for many clubs for a long period of time yet in a sign of the increasing inclusivity of AFL, the off-field contribution is being further emphasised with women being voted into several leadership positions at clubs.

Both Port Macquarie and Grafton have a female president for the 2023 season.

Carissa Embling will be in charge at the Magpies while Rachael Sheather is the new president for the Tigers.

On top of that Gabby Boyle is the vice-president at Northern Beaches while Gemma O’Keefe is filling the same role at Sawtell/Toormina.

For Sheather she doesn’t see her elevation to the presidency as something special as she’s been an integral part of the Tigers in the past.

“I’ve been involved at the club in previous years as the treasurer and the club needed people to put their hand up to help out this year,” Sheather said.

“I’m not one to sit back and watch if something needs to be done.”

Embling has been a part of Port Macquarie’s women’s team for the past two years and has also filled the role of club treasurer in the past.

She hadn’t originally intended to put her hand up for the president at Wayne Richards Park but was convinced by the number of people willing to put their hand up and help the Magpies out in 2023.

“On the night of the A.G.M we filled every position on the committee on the first night and that hasn’t happened before in my time at the club,” Embling said.

“There’s a lot of support there and a lot of people who are willing to help. I was happy to be president knowing I’ve got that support to call on.”

Since female footy started in the region in 2017 there has been a seismic shift by clubs towards being more family friendly rather than an old fashioned boys’ club.

Having women now filling key leadership positions shows that a footy club is now a safe space not only for women but for a wide range of groups that have found themselves welcomed with open arms.

These influential women are helping to change the face of footy clubs proving female footy is much more than just a gimmick.