Caroline Cowen announced as AFLW Community Ambassador

30 September 2025

By ALEXANDRA BULL

SANFL congratulates Port District Football Club’s Caroline Cowen who has been named as the 2025 AFLW Community Ambassador for South Australia.

Caroline is one of eight women from around the country involved in grassroots level football who have been selected as a community ambassadors due to their contribution in the development of women and girls’ footy in their communities.

As Junior Girls Football Coordinator, Caroline has helped establish clear and inclusive pathways to support girls at every stage of their football journey.

In 2024, Caroline led the successful introduction of Under 8 and Under 10 girls’ teams, laying strong foundations from the outset. She also partnered with SANFL to deliver an all-girls NAB AFL Superkick program at Largs Bay School, directly supporting junior recruitment and engagement.

Caroline has been a key advocate for establishing the club’s first Senior Women’s team, ensuring continuity for players progressing through the junior ranks. Her leadership and hands-on approach continue to build a strong, sustainable future for girls and women in football at Port District.

Caroline said she is “looking forward to meeting the ambassadors from other states and sharing stories and experiences.”

“It’s super important for clubs to have women and girls playing football – they bring a different dynamic, as well as a shared love for the game,” Caroline said.

“The community it creates within a club as a whole is fundamental to the success of a club, both on and off the oval. It’s where they can hone their craft in an encouraging and safe environment.

“No matter where their football journey takes them, it’s always a place to come back to. It’s good for clubs to have a broader community and the benefits that come with it.”

As an AFLW Community Ambassador, Caroline and Port District’s FC receives a $1,000 grant from the AFL’s Women’s Football Fund, as well as the opportunity to be involved in the 2025 NAB AFLW Finals Series.

In its fifth year, the AFLW Community Ambassador program recognises members from the football community who have been instrumental in facilitating and nurturing the remarkable growth in footy for women and girls.

AFL National Women and Girls Football Lead, 2025 NAB AFLW Premiership Cup Tour ambassador and AFL Hall of Famer, Debbie Lee, said the announcement of this year’s Chemist Warehouse AFLW Community Ambassadors was a powerful reminder of the people driving change in the game.

“As we mark Season 10 of the AFLW competition, it’s incredible to recognise a new group of inspiring winners through the Chemist Warehouse AFLW Community Ambassador Program,” Lee said.

“Each recipient in 2025 has made an outstanding contribution to the growth of women and girls’ football in their respective communities. Their passion, commitment and leadership create opportunity and positive experiences at all levels of the community game, from NAB AFL Auskick through to senior footy.”