More than 50 people attended the forum at the Commercial Club, including past and present players, league officials and parents.

Facilitated by Wodonga Diamonds player Jacqui Hawkins, who is also standing for election as an independent in Benambra, the forum aimed to find a way forward after what has been a troubling start to the year for the women's league.

Just six senior women's teams remain in the competition due to a lack of numbers, with several electing to only field a reserves team. 

There has been a steady decline in women's participation in the AWFA since a peak in 2014, with the number of female players it its lowest since 2011.

Forum participants discussed why women start playing in the first place, the challenges for women in the AWFA, how clubs could work to address those challenges, and ideas to change the league moving forward.

A women's sub-committee with more than 10 members was formed as a result of the forum, which Ms Hawkins said would give the women's game a much-needed voice as the league looks to the future.

“The benefit of having this committee will be that they can activate some of the solutions we've come up with today, it gives us an opportunity to move forward,” she said.

“Whether or not it generates an increase in players remains to be seen, but to have a something to progress development is a significant move the AWFA should be commended for.

“Having a voice and representation for the women's game is important, having more than 50 people here is really exciting for me as a player and an advocate – it's an important step forward.”

League president Mark Leman said the forum had been a success.

“We were able to hear a lot of information and that's inspired a few people to help roll out things that will grow the league,” he said.

“Changes to competition times, age groups, more inclusion with each club's structure, equality, these were all things that were frequently brought up.”