Essendon is set to become the destination Club for female footballers and athletes thanks to its world-class facilities and dedicated mentoring program.

That’s the message from Bombers General Manager of Community, Academies and Women's Football Development Darren Harris after the Club presented its AFLW submission today.

Essendon already boasts one of the biggest footprints in Australian sport on its 100,000 sq. m. training base in Tullamarine and there are plans for further expansion, while the AFL has also earmarked the Bombers headquarters as a future venue for AFLW games.

“Every player that represents the Bombers in the AFLW will enjoy an elite environment that will give these athletes their best chance of realising their potential,” Harris said.

“Our Tullamarine training base is already the envy of the rest of the AFL competition and we’re committed to ensuring our female athletes enjoy the full benefits off these facilities too.

“Once at Essendon our athletes will be supported by women’s specific services from leading experts who are employed by the Club.”

Essendon will focus its recruitment on its existing Next Generation Academy zones including Hume, Moonee Valley, Moreland, Mitchell and Macedon Ranges regions in Victoria as well as West Arnhem and Tiwi Islands in the Northern Territory.

When listed by the Bombers, each player will be assigned a mentor from the Essendon Women’s Network.

The EWN was established in 1997 and has long been regarded as the most successful women’s group in the AFL.

Its membership is made up of professionals from all different walks of life.

“This level of deep engagement across the development of our female footballers will underpin our desire to be the Club of choice for female athletes,” Harris said.

“Our Academy strategy in the Tiwi Islands, West Arnhem and our north west corridor engages, listens and builds relationships with the community so that we can positively influence junior footballers and enable them to become the best person they can be on and off the football field.

“As part of this strategy each Essendon women’s player will have access to a mentor through the Essendon Women’s Network to develop them off the field. 

“We are focused on developing the person so that their time playing for Essendon provides a genuine career opportunity.”