THE women’s game has been given another boost ahead of the inaugural national competition, with Fox Footy set to televise three exhibition matches this season.

The unprecedented coverage will kick off on Saturday April 9, with the women’s curtain raiser to the Fremantle v West Coast derby.

Two more games — one staged at the MCG and one at Adelaide Oval — will also be broadcast later in the year.

The first will be the curtain raiser for Melbourne’s Round 9 clash against the Lions. While the second will be a precursor to Adelaide’s Round 11 match against St Kilda.

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It’s hoped the broadcast will not only give female athletes greater exposure, but also whet spectator’s appetites ahead of 2017.

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An eight-team competition will kick off next year, however, the tendering process to determine licenses is still incomplete.

But it’s understood that four Victorian based teams will get the nod, as well as one team from South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia.

With Port Adelaide ruling itself out of contention, Adelaide looks set to receive a licence. While in Victoria, the pioneering clubs of Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs continue to be the frontrunners.

The AFL has said clubs with a strong connection to women and the women’s game will be looked upon favourably, with factors such as female board representation taken into account.

Carlton has made a strong push to field a women’s side by hosting women’s academy training sessions this year.

And in a show of the club’s broader commitment to break its patriarchal shackles, the Blues appointed Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner Kate Jenkins to its board in October last year. Jenkins has since been appointed to the role of Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner.

Women’s exhibition matches to be televised by Fox Footy

West Coast Eagles v Fremantle

Saturday April 9

Domain Stadium

3.05pm WST/ 5.05pm EST

Melbourne v Queensland

Sunday May 22

MCG

South Australia v NSW

Sunday June 5

Adelaide Oval

1.05pm CST/ 1.35pm EST