MEDIA RELEASE
Football Victoria

Football Victoria maintains rules for participation
As a result of the recent findings of VCAT in relation to Football Victoria's ability to be exempted under section 66(1) of the equal Opportunities Act, Football Victoria's Board tonight announced that it would maintain the rule allowing it to exclude players from participating in football competitions, amending it to include both males and females and increasing the age restriction from 12 to 14.

This means that players aged 14 or over at the 1st of January in the year of play will be excluded, based on gender, from playing in competitions conducted by Football Victoria and Football Victoria members.

Mr Ken Gannon, CEO Football Victoria said: 'The core reason for the decision to separate participants based on gender over the age of 14 years in football competitions is based on the significant differences between boys and girls from the age of 14 as clarified in the Case'

Mr Gannon continued; 'While we can understand that the three girls involved in this dispute want to play football with the boys, we have a responsibility to have rules and regulations that apply to all participants, males and females, across the State.'

Mr Gannon explained that this aspect of the decision is consistent with the VCAT Determination, which stated that the circumstances of individuals are at best, illustrative and cannot determine the outcome of our policy, and further indicated that it would be extraordinary for the Football Victoria Board to determine individual applications from girls to play the game.

Mr Gannon went on to say Football Victoria strongly supported the growth in participation in female football; 'we have requested the VWFL via Ms Nicole Graves from this office to contact these girls.'

Football Victoria is excited about the development of not only the VWFL but also the new underage football competitions that are being piloted this year by Football Victoria. Mr Gannon stated that the recent publicity surrounding the case has had a positive impact on creating interest amongst females across the State to play football and Football Victoria is moving quickly to ensure that interest is turned into active participation.