Football West celebrates the 2025 Female Football Week

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Image Credit: Football West Website

Football West joins Football Australia in welcoming the 2025 Female Football Week, recognising the contributions of women and girls in football across the state.

Female Football Week (FFW) is a nationwide initiative that focuses on the crucial role that women and girls in football play in the community, whilst celebrating their achievements across every sector of the game.

FFW will take place from 2-10 May, and have numerous activations and events as part of the initiative, including coaching courses, webinars and a free girls five-a-side tournament.

Events taking place:

Monday 5 May

Coaching Webinar: Backing High-Performing Teams Off the Field

This session is tailored for community coaches, aspiring coaches, and parents of players. Learn how the off-field environment we shape can have a big impact on on-field success. Hear from guest speakers as they share strategies for creating safe, supportive spaces that help individuals thrive both on and off the pitch.

Hosted by Women Onside’s Samantha Lewis, the panel will also share their personal journeys in football and explore how we can continue to grow the game across Australia.

Time: 6–7pm (WST)
MC: Samantha Lewis (Women Onside)

Panellists:

  • Janet Drakos – National Female Wellbeing Manager, Football Australia
  • Faye Chambers – Coach Education Tutor, Football Australia
  • Louise McColl – Coach Education Tutor, Football Australia
  • Lizzie Ramsey – Coach Engagement Lead, Growing Football Fund, Football Australia

Register Here

Wednesday 7 May

Female Football Week Award Winners Announced

Join us as we reveal this year’s Female Football Week Award recipients, recognising the outstanding contributions of women across all levels of the game.

Awards include: Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Referee of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Community Club Champion of the Year

Volunteers Webinar: Securing and Delivering a Successful Grant Project

Designed for clubs aiming to strengthen their grant applications and deliver impactful projects, this webinar will explore what makes a strong grant proposal, how to build relationships with key stakeholders, and how to plan and manage a successful grant budget.

Time: 6–7pm (WST)
MC: Samantha Lewis (Women Onside)

Panellists:

  • Michaela Haley – General Manager, Growing Football Fund, Football Australia
  • Jess Woodroffe – Director & Secretary, Launceston City FC
  • Nikola Orgill – Senior Manager, Government and Stakeholder Relations, Women’s Asian Cup 2026 LOC
  • Jessica Clay – Finance Manager, Planning and Reporting, Football Australia

Register Here

Thursday 8 May

Officiating Webinar: Breaking Down Barriers for Women in Sports Officiating

Aimed at community members and aspiring referees, this session features a panel of experienced female officials discussing their pathways in elite refereeing. Learn how they’re shaping supportive environments to help more women and girls thrive in sports officiating.

Time: 6–7pm (WST)
MC: Samantha Lewis (Women Onside)

Panellists:

  • Karen Hennessy – National Female Engagement Lead, Football Australia
  • Belinda Sharpe – NRL Match Official & Project Coordinator, Strategy & Umpire
  • Eloise Sheridan – Learning and Development Lead, Refereeing (Football Australia) & International Umpire (Cricket Australia)

Register Here

Friday 9 May

Women in Football Breakfast

Join us for a special celebration of women in football over breakfast at the Sam Kerr Football Centre. The event will feature a panel Q&A with inspiring voices in the game, reflecting on progress, challenges, and the future of women’s football.

Note: This event is fully subscribed

Saturday 10 May

Girls 5-a-Side Tournament

Football West invites girls to join a FREE five-a-side tournament as part of the Female Football Week celebrations.

Time: 8:30am – 12:00pm
Location: Sam Kerr Football Centre
Eligibility: Open to girls born between 2009–2011 (U14–U16)

A great opportunity to showcase skills, make new friends, and be part of the football community!

Register Here

All-Female C Diploma Coaching Course

Join us for the fourth and final contact of the FREE All-Female C Diploma coaching course at the Sam Kerr Football Centre.

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Female Football Week kicks off across Northern NSW

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Female Football Week has officially begun across Northern NSW, with a program of gala days, networking events and awards ceremonies running until Sunday May 17, marking a ten-day celebration that organisers say reflects both the growth of women’s football in the region and the work still required to sustain it.

The national initiative, now a fixture on the football calendar, provides a dedicated period of visibility for female participants across all levels of the game from players, coaches, referees to volunteers, whose contributions have historically received less recognition than their male counterparts.

NNSWF Participation and Women’s Football Officer Serena Carter said the week offered something for everyone connected to women’s football in the region.

“Female Football Week provides a fantastic chance to highlight the dedication and skill of female players, coaches, referees and volunteers across the northern NSW community,” Carter said. “There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from grassroots participants to elite competitors.”

Women’s football in northern NSW spans remote and regional communities where clubs operate on limited resources, alongside more established metropolitan programs with clearer development pathways. Female Football Week creates a moment of shared recognition across that spectrum and acknowledges the role volunteers play, from running the canteen to progressing through the pathway.

Northern NSW Football has recorded some of its strongest participation numbers in women’s and girls’ football in recent seasons, a trend that has placed increasing pressure on clubs and facilities to keep pace. The week’s events offer clubs an opportunity to showcase their commitment to diversity and inclusion at a time when that commitment is being tested by growth.

Female Referee Mentor Program backed by Football Australia

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Image credit: Football Australia

Football Australia (FA) launched the program last week, aiming to champion the next generation of female referees through connections with experienced officials.

Investing in the future

Backed with investment from the Australian Government’s ‘Play Our Way’ grant, FA’s Ref Our Game framework will pair future referees with current and former A-League officials.

Through one-on-one mentorship, development opportunities and a network of experienced professionals, aspiring female referees will have unique insights into match officiating.

“Football Australia has always been a leader in inclusion, setting a global standard for female leadership and development,” said Football Australia CEO, Martin Kugeler, via press release.

“This program reflects a strong commitment to building a more inclusive and sustainable officiating pathway and creating a meaningful connections, increasing confidence and ensuring talented female referees feel supported to stay in the game.”

Furthermore, with the launch coinciding with Female Football Week (running from May 8 to May 18), the program represents a wider drive in Australia’s football landscape to become inclusive and supportive.

 

About the program

Focused on future referees within the 18-26 age bracket, the program will give participants a deep understanding of match officiating and equip them with both confidence and expertise.

Each participant will benefit from six mentor sessions, which will include individual feedback, guidance and insights into the life of a referee in elite sport.

Combining leadership, communication and a real sense of belonging, the program promises to nurture new female referees and, as a result, ensure football remains a sport in which men and women can participate side-by-side.

“The Albanese Government’s $200 million Play Our Way program is the most significant commitment ever to women and girls sporting programs and facilities and it’s making a real difference,” explained Minister for Sport, Anika Wells.

“We want to see more girls and women involved in sport at every level and supporting programs like this helps make that happen.”

Indeed, programs of this nature align ambition, professional networks, and a vision for improving the landscape.

This is what the industry needs to ensure long-term inclusivity and cohesion for the next generation.

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