Name: Julia Price
Job title: AFL Queensland Female Programs Manager
How long have you been working in AFL? 6 years
What does your job involve?
The promotion and growth of girls and women’s football at school, club and representative level in participation, umpiring and coaching.
What is the biggest challenge facing you in your role?
Changing the perception of Women’s & Youth Girls football in the eyes of the decision makers.
What do you hope to achieve in football?
I am really happy with how Youth Girls and Women’s football is progressing at the moment as the player pathway is nearly complete for girls to compete all the way from Auskick to Women’s League. I would hope that every girl no matter where they live would be able to have access to competitions and to play to whatever level they wished.
Have you always been an AFL supporter?
My parents are from Victoria so I was brought up on AFL. I remember when we used to only have one game per weekend so every Saturday afternoon was a big AFL afternoon in my house. My mum was going for Hawthorn, Dad going for Richmond and I was going for Carlton so there was a lot of rivalry.
Do you think being a woman helps you to bring a different perspective to your role?
Coming from a sporting background myself I have an empathy with the issues that female players face as well as an understanding of the challenges we face off field as well. Women support AFL for a variety of reasons whether that be as a player, a coach, an umpire, an administrator, a supporter, a board member or a volunteer. All of them are valid and should be valued.
What do you find most rewarding about your role in football?
The most rewarding part of my job is seeing girls being able to play AFL at all levels whether that be Auskick, school, club or talent.
Who inspires you and why?
I find inspiration from situations and anecdotes of achievement and success against adversity. I am a sucker for “Chariots of Fire”, “Tin Cup”, “Phar Lap”, “The Natural” etc etc
What advice would you give to other women hoping to work (or working) in AFL? Try not to take things so personally.
Why do you think it is important to have women in football?
Football has never not had women in the game. In the past their roles may have been more in a behind-the-scenes role but today, with the world changing, it is only natural that AFL traditions change as well so that women can continue to be an integral part in club memberships, participation figures, volunteer roles, administration etc.
What do you see in the future for women in football? Hopefully a National Women’s League!!
What is the most important attribute in a leader? Empathy
