Our history
Born in 2002 when a group of players broke away from the Sydney Uni Bombers.
They formed a new team in the Sydney Women’s Australian Football League (now under the umbrella of AFL NSW/ACT/Sydney). The Breakaways adopted the red and white of the Sydney Swans and quickly made their mark in the SWAFL.
NBFC won four consecutive premierships between 2002 and 2005, followed by two more in 2009 and 2010 and a seventh in 2015. In 2011 Breakaways were awarded the Team of the Decade by the AFL. The Breakaways are proud of their role in establishing women’s AFL in NSW.
The Breakaways have always been a unique club and we are proud of the club founders including Jamie Robertson and Rebecca Burridge. It is a testament that some members of original the 2002 team, are still involved with the NBFC.
One player who exemplified the spirit of the Breakaways was Rebecca Burridge (1971-2015). Bec ‘Buns’ Burridge was a founding member of the team and a player known for both her courage and leadership on and off the field and for being a fighter against all odds. She won the SWAFL Golden Boot in 2006, 2007 and 2009, played six of the seven Breakaways Grand Final victories, was Best on Ground in the 2004 Grand Final and a member of the SWAFL “Team of the Decade”. Bec’s bravery, loyalty and determination are remembered by the Breakaways family.
In 2011 Bec was diagnosed with leukemia and started treatment. She strapped her boots on again in 2013 and 2014. She passed away in 2015. The Breakaways acknowledge the “Courage of Burridge” with an award for the player who best exemplifies the Spirit of the Breakaways
