North Melbourne has just made history with back-to-back AFL premierships, finishing an undefeated season with a one-point Grand Final win. IKON Park was packed, the energy was electric, and ten years into the AFLW, women’s football has never been stronger. More than 300,000 fans attended games this season, Grand Final TV audiences exceeded 1.5 million, and the level of talent across all 18 clubs continues to rise.
Women’s sport in Australia is growing faster than ever, and the momentum is only increasing.
The Career Window and The Family Window
For many elite athletes, the next milestone is the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Los Angeles. Athletes across Rugby Sevens, athletics, football, and the new Olympic flag football program are all preparing for qualification.
At the same time, many athletes are thinking about their long-term future outside of sport. The peak performance years in sports like football, usually between ages 24 to 32, overlap with the most reliable biological window for starting a family. This overlap can create pressure and the feeling that you must choose between your sporting career and your personal goals.
You should not have to choose, and now you do not have to.
Supporting Athletes Behind the Scenes
Throughout 2025, No.1 Fertility has been supporting athletes across several AFLW clubs to help them prepare for finals while protecting their future fertility. Our commitment extends to partnerships like our AFLW-focused show on SEN, because women deserve support systems that allow them to succeed in sport without compromising their personal goals.
A Practical Fertility Pathway That Fits Around Sport
Our approach is simple, flexible, and already helping elite athletes:
- Comprehensive off-season assessments: one appointment includes AMH testing, follicle count, and blood tests, all without disrupting your training schedule.
- Egg freezing at optimal times: procedures are typically arranged between November and February when training loads are lighter. Most athletes return to running within 48 hours after egg retrieval.
- Melbourne & Sydney fertility support: No.1 Fertility provides care across major training hubs. Telehealth consultations and remote scans allow continuity during interstate blocks or overseas camps.
- Partners support: Partners can complete sperm testing and freezing in the off season as well. High training loads can affect sperm quality, so we support both sides of the process.
This pathway is already in action for premiership players, Australian athletes, and athletes working toward LA 2028. It is practical and personalised to fit the demanding schedules of elite athletes.
Your Sporting Goals and Your Family Plan Can Work Together
You deserve the chance to go after everything you have worked for. The premiership. The green and gold. And the family you may want to build when the time is right.
If you are playing AFLW, working within club operations, or part of an Olympic pathway program, this off season is the ideal moment to start the conversation. One appointment now can protect your choices for years to come.
Book at number1fertility.com or email aflw@number1fertility.com and our team will guide you through each step.
