The Victorian Chamber was proud to hear from recently announced All Australian captain Kate Hore and vice-captain Bonnie Toogood, both of whom are also captains of their respective clubs.

Both participated in a panel discussion with a theme of The Playing Fields: Sport, Business and Beyond, moderated by highly respected and popular TV host Sarah Jones, herself known as paving the way for women in sport by being the first female to host an AFL match on television.

Ms Hore has been a mainstay of the Melbourne Football Club since 2018, using her skills as a former basketballer to become a dynamic forward who was the league’s top home-and-away goalscorer in 2023.

Selected in the S7 2022 All Australian side, Ms Hore led the Demons to their second consecutive Grand Final appearance and the club’s first premiership win that season.

Ms Hore’s respect, maturity and strong leadership on and off the field was acknowledged by her teammates when she was named the new Captain of the club this year, succeeding Daisy Pearce who held that role since the competition’s inception until her retirement at the end of S7 2022.

She said the key to being a good leader is to listen to the strengths and personality traits of teammates and treat them how they want to be treated.

“The main thing that I would take into the role was to just be genuine and authentic.

“The reason I got to the place that I am is because the person that I’ve been, so that was really important to me. And then just be able to empower others and develop the relationships and connections with my teammates to gain trust as a leader.”

Ms Toogood burst onto the scene in 2018 with Rising Star Nomination and a Premiership Medal for the Western Bulldogs, claiming the AFLW premiership that year.

Having supported Essendon as a child, she joined the club in 2022 after it entered the AFLW competition, where she is now a key player and co-captain.

“I’m a caring person and I like to really get to know the people that I’m playing with, what they do off the field, what makes them tick.

“Instead of asking the question, “how was your day”, it’s asking deeper conversations that get past the surface level.

“I think in society at the moment, we can ask but not really actually care or listen to the answer. I’m genuinely there to listen to what’s going on.

“On field I’m leading by example. I’m going to put my body on the line, and that’s what I’m expecting my teammates also to do. If I’m not showing that, then how can I expect others to?”

Away from football, Ms Toogood has an interest in football-related media, where she can be heard on Kayo VFL broadcasts, the AFLW’s weekly panel show and the Bonnie T and Maddy P podcast.

Similarly, Ms Hore’s passion for sport extends off the field. Working for the Australian Fitness Academy, which delivers personal training qualifications, she looks to share her love for health and fitness, helping others find a career they love in the industry.

Both spoke of the growing professionalism, skills and abilities of the league being “in a really good space” but said there’s greater scope to grow the industry at grassroots and elite levels – particularly through storytelling and conveying the journeys of the players and their diverse backgrounds and interests outside of sport.

Victorian Chamber Chief Executive Paul Guerra lauded the panel as the worlds of business, sport and sports administration united in a celebration of success and innovation.

“The robust participation of females in grassroots programs is not just about scoring goals, it’s about instilling confidence, fostering teamwork, and empowering the next generation,” Mr Guerra said.

“Australia, with a commendable goal to lead the globe in sports for women and girls, recognises the transformative power of sport beyond the scoreboard.

“In the realm of business and sports, the parallels are unmistakable. Both demand strategic planning, teamwork, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The resilience and leadership skills developed on the field translate seamlessly into the boardroom, fostering a spirit of innovation and a commitment to success.”

The 2023 AFL Women’s Grand Final between North Melbourne and Brisbane is on Sunday, December 3 at Ikon Park in Carlton.