Football Australia and CAFA unite to advance women’s football in Central Asia

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Football Australia and the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) jointly delivered a targeted sports diplomacy initiative in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, from August 4 to 7 2025.

The most significant moment of the effort was a two-day seminar on Women’s Football Development, attended by leading representatives from five Central Asian Member Associations. This included Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Representatives from FIFA, the AFC, and FIFPRO Asia/Oceania were also in attendance. 

Australia looked to its experience hosting the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to explore strategies for participation growth and legacy building in the Central Asian region, where the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup will take place.

AFC Executive Committee Member and Deputy Chairperson of the AFC Women’s Football Committee, Mijgona Mahmadalieva, highlighted the significance of Australia’s expertise. 

“Partnering with Football Australia gives us access to valuable experience, especially from a federation that successfully hosted the FIFA Women’s World Cup,” Mahmadalieva said. 

“The exchange of ideas and expertise has been both practical and inspiring, and it’s helping us build a stronger foundation for women’s football across the region.”

The seminar was delivered by key delegates from the Australian women’s football landscape and involved meaningful engagement with local football stakeholders. These representatives included International Partnerships Manager, Tom Engelhardt, Football Australia General Manager of Women’s Football, Carlee Millikin, and former Matilda, Gema Simon. 

Millikin shared her thoughts on this collaboration and the long-term vision for women’s football in the region.

“This is about sharing our learnings and building meaningful partnerships that benefit women’s football across Asia,” Millikin said. 

“Hosting the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in 2026 is a chance to showcase the power of women’s football throughout the continent. We’re focused on using this platform to build something bigger, supporting growth, sharing knowledge, and creating a lasting impact.”  

The initiative also featured community engagement activities. This included a training session led by Simon with FC Dushanbe, and several engagements with football stakeholders accompanied by the Australian Deputy Ambassador, Jeremy Guthrie.

Millikin closed her statement by emphasising the impact this initiative will have on Australian football. 

“Central Asia is an important region for Australian football, with our national teams competing here regularly. Two CAFA nations — Iran and Uzbekistan — have qualified for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, and Uzbekistan will host the tournament in 2029,” she concluded. 

This seminar was the first sports diplomacy initiative between Football Australia and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Central Asia, since the success of the 2024 visit to Uzbekistan.

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Football NSW calls on clubs to Make It Red for Heart Health Round

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Football NSW is calling on clubs and associations across the state to register for the 2026 Make It Red campaign, joining a national awareness movement aimed at reducing heart-related deaths on sporting grounds ahead of Heart Health Round on the weekend of June 5 to 7.

The campaign, developed by the Heartbeat of Football Foundation, asks sporting clubs to wear red, raise funds and build awareness around heart disease and sudden cardiac arrest, which is the leading single cause of disease burden and death in Australia for both men and women, and one that health authorities say is largely preventable through modifiable risk factors.

The call to action comes as the Foundation continues its work to map and register Automated External Defibrillators across NSW sporting facilities, a project that has already engaged twelve football associations and fed data into both the NSW Ambulance GoodSAM registry and NSW Health’s public AED map. The availability of a functioning, registered AED on site is among the most significant determinants of survival following sudden cardiac arrest, with survival rates declining sharply for every minute without defibrillation.

Football NSW is encouraging clubs to engage with the campaign across three areas. Clubs can register for the Make It Red campaign to help fund research, education and prevention programs. Participants, particularly those aged over 35, are encouraged to seek a free heart health screening test from their local GP or enquire about hosting a Heartbeat of Football testing day. Clubs are also urged to ensure their grounds have active, accessible AEDs in place, with guidance available through Football NSW’s Rescue Ready Guide.

The Make It Red campaign runs from June 5 to July 12, with Heart Health Round taking place across the opening weekend. Clubs can register and access participation resources at makeitred.org.

Community Spirit Shines on AFC Grassroots Football Day 2026

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This week, Football Australia (FA) celebrated AFC Grassroots Football Day 2026, championing the people and communities who continue to hold up a safe, inclusive and supportive environment in the football landscape.

‘For all, for life’

In collaboration with Football NSW, Canterbury Football Association and community club, Balmain & District Football Club, the day reflected the very best of what football provides.

The event brought in participants of all ages – from 4-74 years-old – and reached a total of 400 people. Girls-only programs, all-abilities sessions and over-age football ensured all were catered for.

Such a diverse range of participants builds on a wider drive during FIFA World Football Week, which seeks to promote the sport not just as the dazzling lights of 100,000-seater stadiums, but as a way to foster community spirit and social development.

Furthermore, FA support through its Club Changer program was a welcome addition to the action, emphasising the organisation’s commitment to nurture a real love for the game across communities in Australia.

“Through Club Changer we support our clubs to provide a safe, fun and enjoyable environment where everyone is welcome; whether that be as a player, volunteer, referee or supporter,” explained National Program Manager Club Development at FA, Grace Lambourne.

“Everyone should feel they belong and are welcome to play, stay, and love the game.”

 

A welcome celebration

While the upcoming FIFA World Cup will no doubt inspire millions of future Socceroos and Matildas, events like the AFC Grassroots Football Day represent something beyond just inspiration.

It is a platform. An opportunity to express a love for football and to connect with others while doing so.

And connections between the professional and grassroots game is more important than ever if Australia is to nurture the next generation of talent.

This is particularly clear in the rise of women’s football across the nation. Since the FIFA Women’s World Cup, female participation rose by 32%, and registrations for the MiniTillies Program skyrocketed from 264 in 2023, to 1223 in 2024.

The professionals spark passion. But communities turn that passion into playing time.

That is why celebrating grassroots football – and the volunteers and families who sustain it – is a vital part of Australia’s football future. Together, FA and the AFC are creating strong foundations built on positivity, engagement, and inclusivity for all with a love for the beautiful game.

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