Why did Australia’s most popular and powerful sporting code take so long to see value in women and girls playing footy?

In this second episode of ROAR Sam Lane revisits the revolution that reshaped the AFL from the inside out. Hear trailblazers Debbie Lee, Michelle Cowan, Jan Cooper and Chyloe Kurdas recount confronting episodes of sexism, homophobia and exclusion that they experienced, and about the quiet but compelling power of the AFL’s first woman Commissioner - Sam Mostyn - who chipped away with great effect at changing rusted-on culture from within.

Please download and follow ROAR. You might even share it with someone you think might like, or learn from, it too.

This recording would not have been possible without the generous philanthropic backing of Ian Darling and the Shark Island Institute.Recorded and produced by Mushroom Studios. Published by Podshape.

ROAR was recorded in Melbourne, Victoria, where the traditional owners of the land are the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. I acknowledge these traditional custodians and pay my respects to Wurundjeri Elders past and present.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fight for women’s footy began long before the monumental launch match of the AFL Women’s league.

In this opening episode, Sam Lane introduces the trailblazers who challenged Australia’s most powerful sporting institution to make it happen. From pioneers Debbie Lee, Sam Mostyn, Jan Cooper, and Chyloe Kurdas to the courageous whistleblower Jane Hollman, who exposed sexism inside AFL House.

You’ll also hear from some significant male allies, Colin Carter, Peter Gordon, David Matthews, and Campbell Rose, all figures who pushed towards the code and culture-changing revolution that became AFLW.

Make sure you download and follow ROAR. You might even share it with someone you think might like, or learn from, it too.

This recording would not have been possible without the generous philanthropic backing of Ian Darling and the Shark Island Institute. Recorded and Produced by Mushroom Studios.

ROAR was recorded in Melbourne, Victoria, where the traditional owners of the land are the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. I acknowledge these traditional custodians and pay my respects to Wurundjeri Elders past and present.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The incredible story of a team of AFLW pioneers who built a league of their own.

It took 121 years, but on the evening of 3 February 2017 the first women’s game of Australian Rules Football for AFL premiership points finally took place. The nation was watching - millions of Australians tuned in – and a horde of spectators forced a stadium lock out. The inaugural season of the AFL Women’s league was a game-changer for Australian sport and for the country, culturally.
Walkley Award-winning journalist Sam Lane charts the birth of the AFLW from its beginnings - when it
was viewed as a niche, side-show distraction - to the electrifying first season that exceeded all expectations. She speaks with the trailblazers who, through grit and lateral thinking, pushed through a male hierarchy in this giant step towards gender equity in sport, overcoming sexism, homophobia and patriarchy.

Featuring Tayla Harris, Darcy Vescio, Katie Brennan, Daisy Pearce, Sam Mostyn, Jan Cooper, Chyloe Kurdas, Debbie Lee, Peter Gordon, Josh Vanderloo, Peggy O’Neal, Peter Jackson and Gillon McLachlan, this 6-part audio series charts the experiences of female and male AFL executives and AWFL footballers in their uphill battle to realising a dream. From facing long-held dismissive attitudes to women’s football, to finding the strength to empower themselves on and off-field, to eventually convincing the AFL to back the vision.

This is a story about a movement bigger than sport.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.