While today’s momentous announcement of which Club’s will make up the inaugural national women’s league was a historic day for the AFL and it’s Clubs, Western Bulldogs CEO David Stevenson says that the real impact will be felt on every oval, and in every town or suburb where Australian Rules Football is played.

“That’s the most powerful part of this, that young girls coming through AusKick and junior football now have the opportunity to be a full time professional athlete, he told westernbulldogs.com.au following the announcement at the MCG on Wednesday.

“We believe that is a huge enablement and inspiration and we can’t wait for that next generation of players to come through.”

The Bulldogs will be joined by the Adelaide Crows, the Brisbane Lions, Carlton, Collingwood, Fremantle, the GWS Giants, Melbourne as  foundation members of the competition, while Geelong, North Melbourne, Richmond and the West Coast Eagles have been granted provisional licences.

Stevenson said it was a proud day for the Club and champions of women’s football everywhere.

“We’re proud of what we’ve done over, not only the last four years in playing our exhibition series, but even going back 70 years in terms of our history in women’s footy.

“It’s an incredibly proud day for our Club, an incredibly proud day for everybody that’s worked so hard for it, and we’re absolutely thrilled.”