When Lauren Arnell talks about football you can hear the passion in her voice, her face lights up and there’s an unmissable sparkle in her eye.

“I was one of those kids who if you named any player in the AFL I could tell you who they played for and what number they wore,” Arnell said.

Since falling in love with the game as a little girl, Arnell has become a decorated player, a Level 2 coach, and now, a valued employee of the Carlton Football Club.

The eight-time Darebin premiership player has become the Blues’ first-ever Visy Female Football Ambassador, a position she’s relishing and doesn’t take lightly. 

After making the decision 18 months ago to decrease her full-time hours as a PE teacher to concentrate on forging a career in football, Arnell couldn’t be happier at Ikon Park.

“I think the fact they’re (Carlton) certainly genuine about female football and they’ve also shown they’re genuine in developing me – I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else right now,” Arnell said.

“I’m feeling very fortunate that all the assistant coaches and Brendon Bolton are all very supportive, John Barker’s even been giving me a little bit of cheek, which is great because being part of a football club is all about the relationships you build and the friendships you make.”

With Carlton vying for a team in the inaugural women’s competition next year, Arnell’s role at the Club will involve creating and helping executing the pitch to the AFL. 

“My focus has been on the bid for the women’s team and everything that comes with that, so making sure we put our best foot forward to the AFL.

“If we put forward a strong bid, which we will, and are successful in obtaining a licence, we want to make sure we do this well.”

Arnell, who is a triplet, grew up on a farm near Riddles Creek and was always passionate about sport. Although her brother and sister weren’t so keen to run around the paddock, her father always had time to kick the footy with her. 

“Certainly dad’s guidance, as well as mum’s support was a factor, but also being self-driven and just having a love of the game also helped.”

After playing basketball in her youth, it wasn’t until she was 18 years old that she took up playing football.

“When I was little I wanted to play VicKick (now Auskick), but because I was female I got pushed more into playing basketball, so I stuck with basketball until I was 17.

“When I started at university I met some friends who were playing footy, and I knew there was still a burning desire to give footy a go, but I didn’t know opportunities existed.

“At 18 years old I was lucky enough to make a state Under 19 team and haven’t really looked back since.”


Lauren Arnell in action for Victoria. (Photo: AFL Media)

Although Arnell wears red, white and blue on the field, having being drafted   by the Bulldogs in 2013, she hopes to one day play for Carlton and pull on the iconic navy blue guernsey. 

“Being drafted is a moment I’ll never forget…to be named in the best group of female footballers at the time in the country, that was awesome.”

Arnell has played on the MCG and Etihad Stadium, and admits running out onto the ground with her team stirs up a lot of emotions.

“I imagine that buzz is similar to what the boys get to feel,” she said.

“It’s funny and it’s probably something I shouldn’t admit, but I tear up every single time I run out on the ground – I get quite emotional, so I guess it shows how much it means to you.”

The inside midfielder, who also likes to sneak forward and kick some goals, says she’s excited Carlton is hosting the Northern Football League’s Girls Football Development program on Wednesday 30 March.

“We’ve (Carlton) been allocated the Northern corridor to develop women’s football, so we’re fortunate we’ve got some outstanding senior women’s clubs in this region, but we’ve also got some outstanding junior players coming through as well – it’s really exciting.

“Every single year it just keeps getting better and that’s the beauty of female footy, the more investment you put into it, the better it becomes, and that’s another exciting aspect of having an female AFL competition next year.” 

Arnell’s playing career highlights: 

8 x VWFL premierships with Darebin Falcons

6 x Victorian rep

3 x All Australian

2013 Darebin leading goal kicker