The Game-Changing Pioneers

The fight for women’s footy began long before the monumental launch match of the AFL Women’s league.

In this opening episode, Sam Lane introduces the trailblazers who challenged Australia’s most powerful sporting institution to make it happen. From pioneers Debbie Lee, Sam Mostyn, Jan Cooper, and Chyloe Kurdas to the courageous whistleblower Jane Hollman, who exposed sexism inside AFL House.

You’ll also hear from some significant male allies, Colin Carter, Peter Gordon, David Matthews, and Campbell Rose, all figures who pushed towards the code and culture-changing revolution that became AFLW.

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This recording would not have been possible without the generous philanthropic backing of Ian Darling and the Shark Island Institute. Recorded and Produced by Mushroom Studios.

ROAR was recorded in Melbourne, Victoria, where the traditional owners of the land are the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. I acknowledge these traditional custodians and pay my respects to Wurundjeri Elders past and present.

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