Walking out under the lights of IKON Park ahead of the 2024 NAB AFLW Grand Final last Saturday night, this year’s 2024 Chemist Warehouse AFLW Community Ambassadors were recognised on field for their invaluable contribution to the women’s game.
Hailing from seven different clubs across the country – from Batemans Bay in New South Wales to Broadbeach in Queensland – the ambassadors made their way onto the ground and formed a guard of honour as the AFLW Premiership Cup was officially carried onto the field by triple AFLW premiership player and cup ambassador, Erin Phillips.
Proudly wearing their local club colours to the match, the ambassadors soaked up all the atmosphere of the sold-out match and watched the game unfold from the stands as the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos claimed the 2024 Premiership Cup.
Earlier in the day the seven ambassadors were also treated to a Grand Final breakfast thanks to Chemist Warehouse at Novotel Melbourne Central with special guests including AFL Hall of Famer, Debbie Lee, Richmond AFLW captain, Katie Brennan, 2020 Women’s Best and Fairest, Essendon’s Maddy Prespakis and General Manager AFLW, Emma Moore.
Established in 2021, the AFLW Community Ambassador program recognises members from the football community who have been instrumental in facilitating and nurturing the remarkable growth of women and girls’ football.
The ambassadors this year were: Lina Freyer (Batemans Bay Seahawks Football Club, NSW/ACT), Tamara Spence (Jabiru Bombers Football Club, NT), Alera Heywood(Broadbeach Football Club, QLD), Cecilia Moretti (Goodwood Saints Football Club, SA), Melissa Budgeon (Ulverstone Football Club, TAS), Liana Keenan (Westmeadows Football Club, VIC), Ella Spinks (East Fremantle Umpires Association, WA) who were selected by the AFL for their significant service to women’s football.
AFL Executive General Manager of Game Development, Rob Auld, said it was important to celebrate and recognise the contribution each ambassador has made to women and girls’ football.
"On behalf of the AFL, I’d like to congratulate all of our 2024 Chemist Warehouse AFLW Community Ambassadors for their commitment and dedication to supporting women and girls footy in their community," Auld said.
"From helping transport disadvantaged players to games so they can take part, to becoming strong female role models and establishing women and girls programs at clubs – it is passionate people like Lina, Tamara, Alera, Cecilia, Melissa, Liana and Ella who help make the footy community welcoming and inclusive.
"We hope our ambassadors had a wonderful NAB AFLW Grand Final experience, walking out onto the field and attending a breakfast alongside women’s football pioneer Debbie Lee and AFLW stars, Katie Brennan and Maddy Prespakis.
"I’d like to thank Chemist Warehouse for their support of this ambassador program as we continue to grow women and girls’ football from local to elite."
Chemist Warehouse Executive Director Mario Tascone said:
"At Chemist Warehouse we love our football and are fiercely passionate about supporting Aussie athletes. We are incredibly proud of the skill, expertise and dedication that this year’s 2024 Chemist Warehouse AFLW Community Ambassadors bring to the game and the nurturing they have provided for the next generation of AFLW superstars."
See below for more information on each 2024 Chemist Warehouse AFLW Community Ambassador:
Lina Freyer, Batemans Bay Seahawks Football Club – NSW/ACT
Lina has been an instrumental part of establishing a junior girls competition at the Batemans Bay Seahawks, including selflessly driving her players to games up and down the coast when required. This has meant disadvantaged young players have transport to games and are able to play – without Lina this would not have been possible.
Lina has built a strong connection with all the girls and is a highly regarded mentor within the club. Lina is described as "being generous, giving and the biggest supporter of girls football who brightens your day and is a fabulous human". She encourages everyone to be the best they can and without Lina, the Seahawks would not have the tremendous young women’s competition they have today.
Tamara Spence, Jabiru Bombers Football Club – NT
Tamara has had an incredible impact at the Jabiru Bombers Football Club as the President and is the reason why the club has a Women’s Division 2 team. Tamara campaigned hard to ensure a women’s team could be included and the decision was finally endorsed in 2022.
Tamara has helped cement the Jabiru Bombers as an inclusive, supportive and welcoming club and has spent so much of her personal time paving the way for future female presidents and ensuring the club runs as smoothly as possible. She not only has been sitting as the president but also takes on many other roles including sports trainer and manager.
Alera Heywood, Broadbeach Football Club – QLD
Alera has had a significant impact on the growth of women and girls’ football at the Broadbeach Football Club. She serves as a junior committee member, the coordinator of junior females, a playing coach/captain of the senior development team as well as previously being a runner and a coach for her respective daughter’s teams. Alera also started the Broadbeach Women’s Masters in 2023.
Her unwavering support and guidance played a pivotal role in the growth of women and girls’ football and her positive and supporting nature has helped to ensure the welfare and support of all women and girls at Broadbeach Football Club.
Cecilia Moretti, Goodwood Saints Football Club – SA
Cecilia instigated the girls' football program at the Goodwood Saints Football Club in 2013, which saw 10 girls representing the club at a lightning carnival. Since then, the women and girls footy program has grown to five junior teams and two senior women’s teams, ensuring opportunities for any women or girls interested in playing football.
She has actively encouraged junior and senior women’s contribution to physical activity through football and assisted the development of these women and girls socially and emotionally by fostering strong connections with each other and the community through football.
Melissa Budgeon, Ulverstone Football Club – TAS
Melissa has delivered multiple programs and initiatives at the Ulverstone Football Club that have supported the growth of women and girl’s football on the northwest coast of Tasmania. She coached the first under 14s girls’ team, supported the U18s development program, delivered Coach Your Way programs, is the northwest representative on the TAS Football Club – Women’s Advisory Panel, and pushed her local club to develop an action plan to ensure all women and girls had an opportunity to play and thrive at the club.
Melissa is extremely passionate and motivated, has a love of all things team, and has been a positive and supportive role model for both junior and senior girls both at the club and in the talent pathways and coaching space.
Liana Keenan, Westmeadows Football Club – VIC
In 2018, Liana played a pivotal role in establishing the Westmeadows Football Club’s senior women’s program with her peers and has worked hard to offer a pathway for all girls of any skill level to play. Liana is a strong advocate for females and works hard to bring together all players, men and women at the club to celebrate each program and support the junior and NAB AFL Auskick programs. She gives so much to her community and never seeks any personal accolades, it is purely through driven determination to get jobs done, generate new ideas and provide for others.
Ella Spinks, East Fremantle Umpires Association – WA
Ella has profoundly impacted the growth of women and girl’s football as the President of the East Fremantle Umpires Association. Ella is also the Goal Umpire Coach at the club. Her leadership and advocacy have increased visibility for females within umpiring.
Ella spends time to work one on one with umpires to help develop their skills and inspire them to pursue their passions. She attends multiple games in a day so she can watch all umpires and provide support and feedback. Ella has broken new ground at the club and continues to set a brilliant example for women in sports leadership.
