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AFLW locks in permanent August-November season after AFL review

AFLW locks in permanent August-November season after AFL review

The Australian2 days ago
The AFLW season will continue to run from August to November, with several rounds colliding with AFL finals 'indefinitely' and a plan to make it one of the 'top five sports in Australia'.
Season 10 of the competition kicks off next Thursday night, with a clash between Carlton and Collingwood getting its own airtime. It's the first time AFLW has launched during the men's home-and-away fixture.
Matches across the first seven rounds of the AFLW season will compete for eyeballs with the final rounds of the AFL season, then the finals.
Matches will be played on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at the same time as the men's competition, not as curtain-raisers.
Despite the mass clashes, AFL executive general manager of football operations Laura Kane said locking in the schedule moving forward was part of a 'robust strategy'.
'On the verge of the milestone 10th season, it was the right time to review the AFLW competition and solidify our plan for the best way to grow the league as we strive to make AFLW a top five sport in Australia,' Kane said.
The 18 AFLW captains. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images
'We have a robust strategy that we're incredibly proud of – that all stakeholders across the industry have helped shape – and it's important we put all our efforts into producing compelling football, driving attendances and investing in our players to achieve our vision of success for the league.
'As we've established the competition across the first nine seasons, there has been a lot of change which has created debate around the timing of the season and its position, so providing consistency and a clear way forward for fans, players and clubs is important as we look to grow the game.
'It's pleasing we're now able to analyse and learn from the data we've captured and have made an informed decision to keep the NAB AFLW season in its current timeframe on the calendar to help build fandom and grow attendances, which the AFL Commission approved.
'For the first time, we're heading into a 12-round season – our longest since the league began – and our focus must be on maintaining consistency for fans so they can create traditions and connect with their team.'
The decision was approved by the AFL Commission having been tabled at last week's second AFLW Competition Committee meeting.
Kane said the announcement was designed to provide 'certainty and consistency' for clubs and fans after speculation lingered before this season's fixture was confirmed.
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