Women’s footy side sensationally breaks away from club after allegations of inequitable treatment – and more could follow

A Victorian women’s football team has broken away from its club over major allegations they were being exposed to inequitable treatment and a lack of support.

A newly formed football club, Kyneton Women’s Eagles Football Club, has emerged following consisting of 35 players who decided to break away from Kyneton Football Netball Club due to ongoing concerns.

Natalie Korinfsky, the president and player of the new club, stated that the decision to leave was driven by distress over the treatment they received.

‘All we want to do is play football and be treated with respect, and if you don’t have those fundamentals, it’s impossible to stay in those environments,’ Korinfsky told ABC Sport.

Representatives of the players and coaches cited the need for a safe and inclusive environment as the primary motivation behind forming the independent club. 

‘As an independent club, we can build on our proud tradition of diversity, inclusivity, and safety for all players, coaches, and volunteers,’ Korinfsky said.

The Kyneton Women’s Eagles have retained their original playing group, coaches, and support staff, many of whom have been part of the team since its inception in 2015.

‘It’s wonderful to see our coaches, trainers, and most importantly, players signed on to our new club for the 2025 season,’ Korinfsky said.

Korinfsky highlighted a culture at KFNC that left the women’s team feeling unwelcome. 

She recalled an incident where a ‘Pride’ sticker placed in the club rooms by the women’s team for their ‘Pride Cup’ game was torn down.

‘Now we don’t know who ripped it down, but that is the sentiment that is kind of running through the club,’ she said.

Additionally, Korinfsky described instances where the women’s team found blood, spit, and faeces in their changing rooms after men’s matches. 

The tipping point for the team came during the 2024 grand final, where they played against Macedon. 

While the match took place in Woodend, KFNC allegedly held their annual raffle at the home ground at the same time, preventing committee members and supporters from attending the game.

‘That pretty much broke the heart of most of our players,’ Korinfsky said.

Co-captain Belinda Hateley expressed disappointment at the lack of support for their grand final appearances.

‘If it was a men’s team, there’s no way that they would have had a raffle on at the same time,’ Hateley said.

KFNC has denied allegations of misconduct. In a statement posted to social media, the club said they were never informed of any wrongdoing against players or guests.

‘The club has always addressed any player welfare concerns that were communicated to the committee. We strive to be as inclusive as possible,’ the statement read.

‘It’s important that our young women can continue to play and be supported at our club where football is the focus.

‘Our club has been a pioneer in supporting women’s football in the region and this will be our 10th year of doing so.’

Kyneton Women’s coach Phil Hawkes, who has over 20 years of coaching experience, said he was not surprised by the mass exit of players.

‘They [KFNC] thought only a few might leave,’ Hawkes said.

‘So I think that part of it was a big shock that everybody left and said, ‘No, we’ve had enough of this.’

Korinfsky revealed that five other women’s teams had reached out since their departure, sharing similar experiences of discrimination and lack of support.

Jane [not her real name], a player from North East Victoria, said their club had fostered an ‘uncomfortable space’ for women’s footballers. She described instances of sexist and homophobic comments at club events.

The Change Our Game State of Play Survey found that almost a third [28 per cent] of women in community sport had considered leaving their club due to inequitable treatment. 

The report, released in July 2023, also noted that women were 2.5 times more likely to feel unwelcome compared to men.

Despite forming their own club, Kyneton Women’s Eagles are facing difficulties securing a league. 

Their applications to the Ballarat Football Netball League, AFL Central Victoria, and Riddell District Football Netball League (RDFNL) have been rejected.

All three leagues have been contacted for comment by Daily Mail Australia.  

The RDFNL cited failure to meet AFL Victoria’s rules and deadlines as reasons for declining their application but stated they had explored five alternative solutions.

‘It’s impossible to get out of them [football clubs] because we can’t get into a league standing on our own,’ Korinfsky said.

‘But then they won’t let us leave either, or they suggest we just go to another club that has a similar set-up, but doing this risks putting our team back in a similar environment.’

Korinfsky believes authorities are hesitant to allow independent women’s clubs to set a precedent.

‘We believe we have the right to play sport in a safe, supportive, and equitable environment, and that’s what we’re doing as a club. We’re just asking for a fair go.’

The Ballarat Football Netball League indicated they were ‘happy to explore options’ and planned to continue discussions with the Eagles and the AFL.

AFL Victoria issued a statement saying it was working with the players and the leagues to find a way for them to play.  

‘AFL Victoria is assisting in finding a solution, with the primary focus providing options for these players to play football in 2025. AFL Victoria have been and will continue to work with all stakeholders until they can help achieve that,’ a spokesman said.

Until a decision is made, the Kyneton Women’s Eagles will continue training at Woodend Racecourse Reserve.