Mount Alexander Falcons sponsorship supports women and gender-diverse people into AFL

The Mount Alexander Falcons were supported with a CVGT Employment Sponsorship in 2025, which has helped reduce barriers for women and gender-diverse people to taking part in AFL Football.

Some of the barriers the CVGT Employment Sponsorship has helped overcome include financial barriers by supporting subsidised fees, remunerating gender-diverse coaches and providing a childcare service, allowing parents and carers to balance their responsibilities with their passion for sport. The sponsorship also supported purchase of high-quality medical equipment and first-aid supplies to pre-emptively address and appropriately manage injuries.

For the 44 players in the Mount Alexander Falcons team, many of whom identify as LGBTQIA+, the club became a vital support network. Participation has directly reduced their social isolation, providing a sense of belonging that is a proven protective factor against the mental health challenges often faced by marginalized groups in rural areas.

One of the key successes of the Mount Alexander Falcons has been in breaking the “Opt-Out” Cycle for parents by addressing the specific needs of women and new parents.  The team have kept people active in the community who might otherwise have “opted out” due to a lack of support. Their childcare service was a vital “unlock” for parents and carers to participating in sport.