Women's sport is growing rapidly, but the science supporting female athlete health is still lagging behind.

One of the most important messages emerging from the AFL Barwon and Epworth Geelong Female Festival of Sport Seminar held on 7 July 2026, is that the menstrual cycle is not simply a reproductive function; it is a vital sign.

The menstrual cycle provides valuable insight into an athlete’s overall wellbeing, energy availability and hormonal balance. When cycles become irregular, absent, unusually painful or excessively heavy, it is indicative that overall function is sub-optimal. Menstrual health should be considered a key component of athlete monitoring, and most importantly, overall health.

"Your menstrual cycle is a vital sign. When it changes, pay attention." - Dr. Alex Bonner, Gynaecologist OGB Surfcoast.

Understanding the Performance Connection

The menstrual cycle and hormonal fluctuations affect energy levels, mood, sleep quality, muscle repair, recovery and pain perception.

During the first half of the cycle, many athletes report feeling stronger, more resilient and recovering more effectively. Following ovulation (the middle of the cycle) body temperature may rise, perceived exertion can feel greater and sleep quality may be impacted. Some athletes continue to perform strongly, while others notice considerable changes in their training capacity.

The key takeaway is there is no universal experience. Social media, apps and wearables may suggest how an athlete should feel during different phases of the cycle, yet in reality, individual variability is significant. This is why tracking symptoms, energy levels, recovery and performance alongside the menstrual cycle in its entirety, can be an excellent performance tool.

Injury Risk and the Female Athlete

Discussion surrounding female athlete injury risk often centres on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, which occur at significantly higher rates in women than their male counterparts.

The relationship and understating of the role that hormones play in ACL injury is complex, and one that is continuing to be researched globally; with current evidence identifying that hormones are not a sole cause of increased ACL injuries. Rather, hormonal influences are likely one contributing factor amongst a broader mix of biomechanical, anatomical, environmental and training-related factors.

Effective prevention strategies include strength training, neuromuscular conditioning, movement education and appropriate load management, measures that benefit all athletes.

“Understanding women in sport can help us minimise risk and optimize performance.” - Dr. Rekha Ganeshalingam, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Epworth Geelong

Why Load Management Matters

Load management refers to balancing training, competition and recovery to maximise adaptation while minimising injury risk.

For female athletes, load management cannot be separated from health. Painful periods, heavy bleeding, endometriosis, hormonal disorders and inadequate energy (nutritional) intake can all influence an athlete’s ability to train consistently and recover effectively.

Individualised programming does not necessarily require complicated systems. Sometimes it is a simple question: “How are you tracking this week?” Creating environments where athletes feel comfortable discussing symptoms allowing informed decisions around training volumes, recovery strategies and support.

"Menstrual cycle awareness is performance awareness." - Dr. Alex Bonner, Gynaecologist OGB Surfcoast. 

Recognising REDS

An important health consideration in female athletes is Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDS).

REDS is a systemic response to the body receiving insufficient (nutritional) energy to meet basic physiological functions plus athletic demand. An early warning sign can be changes to the menstrual cycle, hence the importance of tracking and viewing the cycle as a report card of health.

REDS is driven by low energy availability and subsequently can disrupt several bodily functions including, but not limited to menstruation and bone health. Left unaddressed, REDS can increase injury risk, impair performance and have lasting consequences on long term health.

The important message for athletes, coaches and parents is that menstrual changes should never be dismissed as a normal consequence of training hard. This is the body sending distress signals.

"Know your body. Know your edge. Know your menstrual cycle. Track it. Learn it. Use it." - Dr. Alex Bonner, Gynaecologist OGB Surfcoast. 

Creating a Better Sporting Culture

Many athletes still feel uncomfortable discussing menstrual health, particularly in environments led by male coaches or support staff. Open conversations and upskilling all involved in athlete care are essential if we want women and girls to participate in sport safely and confidently.

Creating a healthier sporting culture starts with education. It means normalising discussions about menstrual health, encouraging cycle tracking, recognising symptoms early and valuing health as highly as performance. It means helping athletes understand that painful periods may be common, but they are not necessarily normal, and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

The opportunity is clear: when sport begins to treat menstrual health as a legitimate performance variable rather than a topic to avoid, everyone benefits.

Learning to listen (to your body) may be one of the most powerful performance strategies available.

“Supportive, healthy and successful sports environments aren't in the dark about women's health." - Emily Brown, Physiotherapist Corio Bay Health Group.

Further reading and resources:

AIS Female Performance Health Initiative Education Modules

Low Energy Availability - Are you eating enough?

Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDS)

AFL Barwon is proud to release its inaugural Female Participation Report, highlighting the strength of female involvement across football and netball throughout the Barwon region in 2026. 

Coinciding with the Female Festival of Sport, a week dedicated to showcasing and celebrating the contributions of women in sport across the region, these participation figures demonstrate the significant role women and girls play within our sporting community. Their involvement is an integral part of the success, growth and future of community football and netball, both on and off the field.

Across AFL Barwon-governed football and netball competitions and club programs, 13,114 female players have participated this year, representing 45 per cent of all registered participants across the region.

Netball continues to lead female participation, with 9,649 players taking part across both the winter and summer seasons. The 13 & Under section recorded the highest participation of any age division, with 2,181 players, highlighting the strong pathway of young girls entering and enjoying community sport.

Female football has also continued its positive trajectory, recording 3,465 registered participants across all competitions and programs. Of those, 616 players competed in the Epworth Senior Female Football competitions, demonstrating the continued strength and sustainability of the senior female game across the region.

Participation is further reflected in the number of teams taking the field and court throughout the year, with 932 female teams competing across AFL Barwon competitions, comprising 840 netball teams and 92 football teams.

Women are also making an enormous contribution in leadership and officiating roles across community sport. In 2026, 897 registered female coaches are supporting players across the region, including 833 netball coaches and 64 football coaches. There are also 430 female umpires officiating competitions (370 netball umpires and 60 football umpires).

Collectively, these figures represent more than 15,000 registered female participants across playing, coaching and umpiring roles throughout the Barwon region. 

Importantly, these numbers do not capture the thousands of female volunteers, committee members, team managers, trainers, administrators, canteen volunteers and club supporters who dedicate countless hours behind the scenes each week to ensure community football and netball continues to thrive.

The participation statistics reflect the continued growth of female sport across the region and the positive impact of clubs that have embraced inclusive environments, invested in female programs and created opportunities for women and girls to play, coach, officiate and lead.

AFL Barwon CEO Kate Patterson said the figures were a testament to the commitment of clubs and volunteers in providing opportunities for women and girls across the region. 

“These participation numbers are a fantastic reflection of the work being done across our football and netball community to ensure women and girls have every opportunity to be involved in our competitions” Patterson said.

"Whether it's as a player, coach, umpire, volunteer or administrator, women are making an enormous contribution to community sport throughout the Barwon region. It's particularly pleasing to see strong participation at the junior level, which provides an exciting foundation for the future of female football and netball." 

"The Female Festival of Sport is about celebrating these achievements while also recognising the people behind the scenes who continue to create welcoming, inclusive and supportive environments for women and girls. We thank every club, volunteer and participant for the role they play in making our community stronger through sport."

Belinda Harvey’s commitment to two local sporting clubs make her a Female Club Champion.

By Ben Andonoudis

Behind every junior game is a group of volunteers working tirelessly to make it happen. They are the reason that players can simply turn up and play every weekend.

Belinda Harvey is one of those people.

Devoting your time to one community club can be time-consuming, but unlike most volunteers Harvey stretches her time across two community clubs. As both President of the juniors-only club Peninsula Sharks and Leopold FNC’s Junior Netball director, Harvey plays a leading role in junior sport across the Bellarine.

Few people could successfully devote equal time to two volunteer leadership roles. But the commitment of  Harvey across her involvement across both clubs has never been an issue for Leopold Football Netball Co-President Lachlan Cartledge. For him, it speaks to her love of female junior sport and allowing others to have more opportunities than ever before.

“It is a lot, but it just highlights how passionate she is about giving opportunities to young women,” Cartledge said.

The impact made by Harvey at Leopold FNC was almost immediate.

“She made an impact from her introduction,” Cartledge said.

And the results have spoken for themselves. Since Harvey joined Leopold the netball program has grown and now features five more junior teams. It is a reflection of what can be possible when a person with passion for junior female sport is a part of a club.

“Our junior netball program has never been so healthy, and it just comes off the back of Belinda's involvement,” Cartledge said.

The reasons for the growth following Harvey’s emergence at Leopold are varied but one key reason is the genuine attentiveness and dedication she has. It is something that impressed the locals at Leopold FNC.

“People are just drawn to her work ethic and her personality that she does want to make the club a better place,” Cartledge said.

It is that skillset and personality that makes Harvey such a valued member of the Leopold Football Netball Club as well as the Peninsula Sharks.

Leopold and the Peninsula Sharks have both benefited from the involvement of Harvey and has led to increased ties between the two clubs.

“Belinda’s involvement continues to strengthen the relationship between us and the Peninsula Sharks,” Cartledge said.

Her influence has become so significant that Cartledge struggles to imagine what Leopold FNC would like without her there.

“If we didn't have her this year, we would not be in the position we are in now,” Cartledge said.

Every weekend, hundreds of youngsters simply turn up and play, rarely seeing the countless hours of work that make it possible.

As one of the Bellarine Peninsula’s most dedicated champions of junior female sport, Belinda Harvey has fostered growth that many clubs would be proud to see. She is one of the main reasons that more young females can take to the field or to the court every weekend and live out their dreams.

And that is that unwavering commitment to junior female sport that makes her a Female Club Champion.

Chantelle Daltton has been the driving force behind the success of the Ocean Grove Cobra’s junior girls football program.

By Ben Andonoudis

Every weekend, young girls run out in the Ocean Grove Cobras jumper with dreams of following their AFLW heroes. Beyond that growing pathway is a champion volunteer whose work has helped transform the club’s female program. Chantelle Dalton is one of the people behind that immense growth.  

Dalton has been integral to building the opportunities and pathways that have helped the girls’ program flourish. That commitment has helped establish the Cobras as one of the region’s leading junior female football programs. This includes having 8 female teams in junior competitions this year.

For Ocean Grove Cobras Junior Football Club president Suze McLeish, having Dalton involved in the club is invaluable.

“Chantelle is such a great asset to us in her advocacy for girls and women in football,” McLeish said.

Dalton’s supporting of girls and women in football is clear to see for everyone involved at the Cobras.

“Chantelle is so passionate about inclusivity, female participation and ensuring equality in all opportunities,” McLeish said.

Dalton’s immense passion and work stretch beyond the things that people see. Much of the work that goes unnoticed by the wider football community is what defines many club champions. For Dalton, the rewards come from seeing the young players at the Cobras embrace the game.

“Chantelle invests countless hours behind the scenes, always striving to provide the best possible experience for every player,” McLeish said.

Those many hours spent have led to some amazing initiatives and achievements. Through the hard work of Dalton, Ocean Grove Cobras became a Chartered Club under the Women & Girls Community Football Charter in June 2025. The charter aims to make local sporting clubs a welcoming, safe and inclusive space for females.

In addition to the charter, Dalton also applied for and secured the involvement of the Cobras in the Geelong Cats AFLW sausage sizzle initiative last year. The sausage sizzle initiative raised funds that contributed to the purchase of new playing jumpers specifically tailored to the young girls who play for the Cobras.

This gave the girls the chance to feel part of something bigger. Geelong’s AFLW players have been around the club multiple times thanks to Dalton’s efforts. On a number of occasions, she has coordinated the integration of the Cats players in club activities, giving many of the club’s young players inspiration.

It’s not just fundraisers and player appearances that Dalton has initiated in her time at the club though.

“She started the beautiful tradition of having all players present a flower to their mothers at the game on Mother's Day,” McLeish said.

This heartfelt tradition has become one that has created a long-lasting impact for many people at the Cobras.

“It created a memorable moment for families across the club,” McLeish said.

All of these examples shine a light on the amazing work that Dalton does for the Cobras.

Dalton’s story is a reminder that the growth of female football is built not just by the players on the field, but also by the dedicated volunteers who give up their time every week.

That is what makes her a true Female Club Champion.