Adelaide’s AFLW Premiership Coach, Bec Goddard, has been named the 2017 Football Woman of the Year.

Goddard was presented the award at the annual Fujitsu General Grand Final Comedy Debate in front of more than 1,000 guests at Crown Palladium.

Goddard is the 21st woman to win the award, and in doing so joins a long list of talented and influential women who made significant contribution to the game.

Goddard has played a significant role over a number of years to ensure the AFL Women’s competition was an overwhelming success in 2017.

Her role as a female Senior Coach has given her a profile that has allowed her to encourage other women to strive for greatness.

At 39 years of age, Goddard led the Crows to an historic AFLW flag in the inaugural AFLW season, while maintaining a full time job with the Australian Federal Police. She also coached the Allies team in the recent AFLW State of Origin match.

Presented by the Essendon Women’s Network (EWN), the Football Woman of the Year Award recognises women in the industry who have made a significant contribution to the game of Australian Football.

Essendon Women’s Network Chair, Jane Grover, praised Bec for her endless efforts to lead by example in striving for equality in the Football industry.

“Bec is a woman that leads from the front, displays moral courage, and continues to influence the entire football community around equity, fairness and inclusion,” Grover said.

“For so many young women, Bec represents choice, inclusion and respect which is the cornerstone of giving everyone a fair go, and mirrors our multi-cultural Australian community.”

West Australian Football Commission, Female Football Representative, Charmaine Rogers, received the VicHealth Community Award.

The Community Award recognises those who work in a volunteer capacity, whether it be at the grass roots level, or through their volunteer contributions to clubs at the highest level.

Charmaine has been supporting the progression of women in Australian Rules Football since 1996 and has undertaken various roles within the WAWFL for the past 21 years.

Through her role as a board member and WAWFL president she has been able to support growth in female participation and has developed strategies to ensure financial stability and secure the future of female football in WA. 

“Charmaine’s commitment and leadership to women's football has been legendary within Western Australia,” Grover said. 

“Charmaine's passion, energy, enthusiasm and encouragement to women of all ages, and the way she highlights the many career pathways, is to be applauded.”

Past winners of the Football Woman of the Year Award include;

Daisy Pearce (2016)

Jan Cooper (2015)

Peta Searle (2014)

Michelle Cowan (2013)

Belinda Duarte (2012)

Lesley McGrath (2011)

Anna Durante (2010)

Debbie Lee (2009)

Susan Alberti (2008)

Terry Bracks (2007)

Barb Cullen (2006)

Jennie Loughnan (2005)

Edna Daniher (2004)

Jenny Williams (2003)

Beverly Knight (Bev O’Connor (2002 – joint winners)

Katrina Pressley (2001)

Caroline Wilson (2000)

Jill Lindsay (1999)

Irene Chatfield (1998)