THE AFL is pleased to announce women’s football pioneer, Lisa Hardeman will be the 2022 NAB AFLW Premiership Cup Ambassador.
Announced at the 2022 NAB AFLW Captain’s Day on Tuesday, Lisa will become the sixth person to hold the prestigious role, following Jamie Howell (2021), Amanda Farrugia (2020*), Jan Cooper (2019), Sam Mostyn (2018) and Susan Alberti (2017).
Contributing to Australian Football for more than 40 years and one of the driving forces behind the establishment of elite women’s football, Lisa said she was honoured to be selected as the 2022 NAB AFLW Premiership Cup Ambassador.
"I’ve been involved in Australian football as a coach, player and administrator for more than 40 years, so I’m honoured to be acknowledged as the 2022 NAB AFLW Premiership Cup Ambassador," Ms Hardeman said.
"Football has been such a huge part of my life, and I’m proud to be able to continue to play a role and be part of one of the most important days on the AFLW football calendar."
Lisa began her football career at the Fairfield Football Club, playing 111 games in the Victorian Women Football League (VWFL) and winning the Premier Division ‘Best & Fairest’ award - the ‘Helen Lambert’ medal in 1989.
From 1992 to 1997 she represented Victoria (twice as Captain) and played in five premierships. Her strong leadership skills saw her become the Captain at the Scorpions (1989, 1993 and 1994) and Darebin Falcons (1996), leading both clubs to premiership success.
Lisa’s contribution to football continued on the sidelines with an outstanding coaching career spanning more than a decade. First coaching in 1997, Lisa coached Darebin Falcons (1997-2000) and Melbourne University (2001-2003, 2009) to multiple premierships and led the Victorian Representative team as coach from 2001 to 2004.
Lisa’s football administration has also been exceptional, serving as VWFL President in 1989 and from 1997 until 2000, Secretary in 1996, and was a member of the VWFL Advisory Board with AFL Victoria.
Lisa’s football legacies include the Victorian Football League Women’s Grand Final Best on Ground award ‘The Lisa Hardeman Medal’, and the ‘Hansen-Hardeman Cup’ for matches between the Melbourne and Western Bulldogs football clubs.
Away from the football field, Lisa has served in the Victoria Police for 38 years and is currently the Commander in charge of the Priority and Safer Communities Division.
Throughout her time in the force, Lisa was awarded the Australia Police Medal in the Australia Day Honours in 2018 and was inducted into the Victoria Police Sporting Hall of Fame in 2017 and the Victorian Honour Role of Women in 2019 for her service to Victoria Police and women playing football.
AFL General Manager of Women’s Football, Nicole Livingstone said Lisa’s contribution to Australian Football was one that deserved to be celebrated nationally.
"After establishing the first women’s football national championship match in 1998, Lisa Hardeman has been at the forefront of Australian football long before the birth of the NAB AFLW Competition," Ms Livingstone said.
"Lisa’s contribution to our game and to the broader community through her role with the Victorian Police Force is outstanding, and one that is a fitting tribute to honour all front-line workers across the country who have gone above and beyond for others over the last 18 months.
"A pioneer for women within the Australian Football industry, the entire football community looks forward to witnessing Lisa receive worthy recognition as she presents this year’s NAB AFLW Premiership Cup."
*Premiership Cup not presented as 2020 NAB AFLW Grand Final was not played due to COVID-19.
