The Western Bulldogs Football Club is kicking goals for women’s health in Melbourne’s west and Ballarat with a new program to support more women to embrace active and healthy lives.

Minister for Health Jill Hennessy today visited Whitten Oval and launched the Doggies’ new Daughters of the West program, which builds on the successful delivery of the Sons of the West program for men.

The Andrews Labor Government delivered $600,000 to the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation to support health and wellbeing programs in the West, including the development of this innovative co-designed program for women.

Daughters of the West will give women the support they need to be more active more often, eat healthy and reduce smoking and alcohol consumption, while at the same time boosting social connections and wellbeing.

The program will kick off at four sites in the Doggies’ heartland – Wyndham, Ballarat, Maribyrnong and Melton. It will have a specific focus on gender equality, increasing physical activity and improving health and wellbeing.

It aims to inspire more women to follow in the footsteps of AFLW league heroes such as Doggies captain and recently crowned VFL Women’s Best and Fairest winner Katie Brennan.

The Daughters of the West program has been developed in partnership with the Peer Academy, local community health services and with women from the four communities, so it meets their specific and local health needs.

Both the Daughters of the West and Sons of the West programs are unique initiatives of the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation.

More than 1,200 men took part in the Sons of the West program this year supporting them to live and eat better, and get back into the game of life. This year it was also expanded to Sunbury, Smythesdale and Maryborough.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy

“As a passionate doggies fan, I am proud the Bulldogs are the heart and soul of Melbourne’s west, on and off the field. They inspire us all to get active, connected to the community and lead healthier lives.”

“Daughters of the West will give women the tools they need to eat healthier, exercise more and play more sport. It will be great to see more local women kicking health goals with their AFLW heroes.”

Quote attributable to Acting Minister for Sport Luke Donnellan

“Our community clubs make such a positive difference to the lives of men and women across our state. This program is a great initiative to get more women, more active, in Melbourne’s West.”