Travels From Victoria
Debbie Lee
Pioneer of women's football and first female to be inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame.
Debbie’s extensive experience in the football industry has lifted her into the top echelons of Australian Sport. Often referred to as a pioneer of Women's Football for her work both on and off the field.
With more than 30 years of experience in women's football both at the elite and community level, including 18 years working professionally in the AFL industry, Debbie has had great success navigating one of the most male dominated sporting industries.
For decades she has advocated and driven change to improve the visibility, representation and participation of women and girls in the game of AFL. She was instrumental in establishing the AFLW competition and has made it accessible for half the population to now have access to the game, like we know it today.
Debbie is a true leader, a change agent, she has wonderful insights into building great cultures, is proficient building high-performance teams with female athletes and women’s sporting teams, and is passionate about gender equality, equity for women, inclusive environments and advancing women in sport.
Debbie is currently the National Women and Girl's Action Plan Lead at the AFL. She previously held position as the General Manager of Women's Football at both the Western Bulldogs' and Melbourne Football Club.
Debbie also has one of the most illustrious football careers in our game, starting with playing with East Brunswick Scorpions (VWFL) as a 17-year-old. She played 302 games, represented Victoria on 16 occasions, including six as captain, is a 6 time All Australian, five-time Helen Lambert Medalist (equivalent to Brownlow), two time premiership player.
Off the field Debbie served 8 years as President of the Victorian Women's Football League, she also established the Sunshine YCW Spurs in 1993, the first women's football team in the West
For recognition for her efforts and contribution to Women's Football both on and off the field Debbie was awarded AFL Life Membership and more recently was the first woman to be inducted into the AFL’s Hall of Fame.
Debbie is also a proud mum of Stevie (4) and Mack (7) and has a great unconventional family story, that only adds to her fascinating journey.