It’s a historic day for the Carlton Football Club.

At 1:30pm on Thursday 28 April, the Club submitted its bid to the AFL for a licence in the 2017 national women’s competition.

In a show of unity, dedication and sincerity, 10 staff members representing every department of the Club arrived at AFL House in its Bound By Blue bus, to personally drop off the extensive document.

From Sarina in sponsorship, Tara from community, Andrew McKay and Dennis Armfield from football, to Navy Nina and Captain Carlton, everyone at the Club wants to see women running around in the iconic Old Dark Navy Blue jumper.  


The Blues submit their bid for a women's team at AFL House. (Photo: Carlton Media)

With the appointment of Lauren Arnell as Carlton’s first Visy Female Football Ambassador, the Club has, and will continue to support women’s football at league and grassroots level.

On the bus heading to AFL House, Arnell couldn’t contain her excitement, exclaiming she couldn’t believe the day had finally arrived. 

“I’m a little bit too excited,” Arnell said.

“I just found a footy outside and I’m not letting go of it, it’s like my comfort teddy at the moment,” she laughed.

Arnell has played a pivotal role in putting the bid together over the last few months – a task she’s no doubt relished.

“I think this is week 11 of me being at the Club, so it’s been three months of a lot of fun and exciting work which comes together today.” 

Carlton’s Head of Football Andrew McKay, who also travelled to AFL House for the handover, says it’s a “significant” day in Carlton’s history.

“We’ve just delivered our bid to the AFL for a women’s team in 2017 and we had a heap of people from the Club come and join us,” McKay said. 

“It’s been a whole of club effort and we think we’ve put our best foot forward and we’re really hoping we get the team in 2017.”


A closer look at the Blues' submission for a women's team. (Photo: Carlton Media)

The Blues have been very vocal in their desire to secure a licence, with Carlton CEO Steven Trigg emphasising the Blues have a “genuine appetite” for women’s football and strive to be leaders in this area. 

During pre-season the AFL Victoria Women’s Academy trained at Carlton’s headquarters on a number of occasions, with players and coaches helping and offering advice at every session. 

Only four weeks ago the Blues also hosted nearly 100 junior girls from the Northern Football League, in an effort to encourage more females to take up the sport.

The AFL isn’t expected to make its decision until June – so stay tuned, Blubaggers!