Sydney Swans Executive General Manager of AFLW, Kate Mahony, has joined the AFLW Competition Committee.

Sydney Swans Executive General Manager of AFLW, Kate Mahony, has joined the AFLW Competition Committee.
 
Mahony joined the Swans in 2021 ahead of the team’s entry into the competition. A qualified physiotherapist, she was formerly the Head of Performance Health at the NSW Institute of Sport and has held senior roles at Cricket Australia, the Australian Open and Women’s Tennis Association.

Chaired by AFL Commissioner Simone Wilkie, the AFLW Competition Committee now comprises of 15 members spanning a myriad of roles across the industry. In the meeting today – which marked the third of the year – an array of topics were covered including:

Tasmanian AFLW List Rules
Mid-season AFLW football data and analysis
Update on AFLW Season 10 growth 

AFL Executive General Manager of Football Operations Laura Kane thanked the Committee’s outgoing members and welcomed Mahony and Collingwood President, Barry Carp who also joins the Committee.
 
“I would like to thank former Essendon President David Barham and former Swans CEO Tom Harley for their contribution to the AFLW Competition Committee throughout the year – both have been incredibly valuable members who have challenged ideas, raised new ideas and given different perspectives on a range of topics,” Kane said.
 
“David’s passion and dedication to AFLW was evident in every discussion and he always brought a lot of energy and enthusiasm to each meeting. I’m looking forward to working alongside Tom in his new role as we continue to grow women’s footy across the league.
 
“I’d also like to welcome Kate and Barry to the Committee. I know they will bring their own unique points of view from their clubs and positions and I also look forward to working with them as we build on the foundations of the AFLW competition.
 
“Today marked our final meeting for the year and as we enter the pointy end of the season and soon embark on another AFLW finals, I liked to acknowledge and thank all members of the AFLW Competition Committee for their support and commitment throughout 2025.
 
“In the milestone 10th season it’s important to reflect on what the competition and the industry has achieved this year. From finalising the new AFLW Growth Strategy and creating certainty around the season start dates, to the leap in skill development, talent coming through the pathways and strengthening the ‘one club, two team culture’ – there has been a huge amount of work across the industry and we will continue to keep making decisions that will progress and secure the game for future generations.”

 
The AFLW Competition Committee members are:

Simone Wilkie AO (Chair, AFL Commissioner)
Laura Kane (AFL Executive General Manager of Football Operations)
Greg Swann (AFL Executive General Manager of Football Performance)
Barry Carp (Collingwood President)
Julia Chiera (AFLPA, Head of AFLW)
Jan Cooper (West Coast Eagles Board Member)
Gemma Houghton (Port Adelaide AFLW player)
Erin Lorenzini (General Manager AFLW North Melbourne)
Kate Mahony (Sydney Swans Executive General Manager of AFLW)
Kath McCann (General Manager Marketing, Public Affairs and Social Impact Tasmania
Football Club)
Emma Moore (General Manager AFLW)
Jordyn Pearson (AFLW Field Umpire)
Erin Phillips (AFL Football Performance Lead)
Hannah Priest (St Kilda AFLW Captain)
Craig Starcevich (Brisbane Lions AFLW Senior Coach)