Training sites announced for 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia

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13 training sites across 5 Australian cities have been selected in the initial phase of team facility planning, for the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The confirmed list of sites selected for participating nations to conduct training sessions throughout the tournament include:

  • Adelaide/ Tarntanya – Marden Sports Complex (Marden), South Australia Football Centre (Gepps Cross)
  • Brisbane / Meaanjin – Perry Park (Bowen Hills), Spencer Park (Newmarket)
  • Melbourne / Naarm – JL Murphy Reserve (Port Melbourne), Lakeside Stadium (Albert Park), Reggio Calabria Club (Parkville)
  • Perth / Boorloo – Dorrien Gardens (West Perth), Western Australia State Football Centre (Queens Park)
  • Sydney / Gadigal – ES Marks Athletics Field (Kensington), Leichhardt Oval (Leichardt), Valentine Sports Park (Glenwood), Western Sydney Wanderers Centre of Football (Rooty Hill)

Football Australia’s Head of Women’s World Cup Legacy, Sarah Walsh, said of the announcement: “This is an important moment for our host cities and the start of a number of exciting announcements around the tournament as it starts to come to life for our local football communities.

“Beyond the major stadia, we now see multiple facilities having an opportunity to be a part of this tournament of firsts, with many of these Training Sites having a strong football footprint and are deeply embedded in their local communities.  This is a chance to increase their involvement and highlight the contribution to Australia’s football story.

“Their selection as training sites for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 highlights the importance of high-quality community facilities.  Through our community facilities Legacy ’23 pillar, we will be working to ensure that many more community grounds are equipped with female-friendly sporting facilities to accelerate the growth of women’s football post-tournament.”

Football Queensland CEO, Robert Cavallucci, welcomed the news that international stars would be training at some of the state’s premium football venues.

“With two of our state’s iconic football venues selected as training sites for the tournament, we look forward to continuing to work with Queensland Government to ensure we are supporting the growth of the women’s game and delivering a lasting legacy for Queensland’s footballers,” he stated.

Football NSW CEO, Stuart Hodge, was delighted with the news.

“We are proud of the inclusive football facilities we have developed at Valentine Sports Park,” he said.

“With the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 fast approaching, we are committed to the rollout of Legacy programs to help ensure our members have the capacity and capabilities to meet the needs of our fast-growing female football community.”

Football South Australia CEO, Michael Carter, highlighted the impact the State Centre for Football will have in increasing the participation of women and girls in the years to come.

“The State Centre for Football, which is due for completion late April will be a great facility that will connect grassroots to the elite,” he stated.

“The Centre will play a vital role for our Legacy Plan, providing opportunities for all through a variety of programs such as social football, school competitions, Walking Football and inclusion programs.”

Football Victoria President, Antonella Care, added: “The selected Victorian venues have extended ties to our game and will provide modern, state-of-the-art facilities as training sites for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023.

“Not only will they provide an ideal environment for teams to prepare ahead of their matches; they will also ensure women’s football flourishes well beyond it.”

Football West CEO, James Curtis, explained: “There is great excitement in Western Australia for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and we are delighted that we have two fantastic venues which will play host to national teams.

“The State Football Centre will deliver a legacy for female football in WA for decades to come and it is fitting that it will be forever associated with the Women’s World Cup, the pinnacle of our game. Football West regularly uses Dorrien Gardens for our finals, and this is another first-class facility which will be worthy of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.”

In the coming months, the next phase of the training site project will be completed, with an evaluation of other prospective training sites across both Australia and New Zealand.

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GIS and ACPE join forces to strengthen football coaching and tactical development

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The Global Institute of Sport (GIS) and Australian College of Physical Education (ACPE) will support Hills Football Association in delivering a specialist coaching workshop designed to improve player development, tactical understanding and performance analysis.

Taking place on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, at the ACPE campus in Sydney Olympic Park, the workshop will bring together experienced football coaches and performance analysts to explore practical approaches to developing players’ tactical awareness, decision-making and understanding of the game.

Titled Developing and Supporting Players’ Tactical Understanding, the event will run from 6pm to 8.30pm and feature two workshops focused on translating coaching theory and performance analysis into practical learning environments.

Former Matildas head coach Tom Sermanni, who has also led the national women’s teams of the United States, Canada and New Zealand, will present the first session, Working with International Players.

The workshop will examine how coaches can design training sessions that develop tactical execution under realistic match conditions, with an emphasis on practice design, player decision-making and effective coaching behaviours.

The second session, From Video to Understanding, will be facilitated by experienced performance analysts from GIS and ACPE.

Participants will explore how match footage can be used to strengthen tactical learning, encourage player reflection and develop independent decision-making.

The session will also examine how coaches can structure effective video reviews that align with coaching objectives and a team’s playing model.

Supporting the next generation of football coaches

The initiative highlights the growing importance of combining traditional coaching methods with modern performance analysis to support player development across Australian football.

As clubs and football organisations increasingly seek to improve coaching standards, access to practical education and industry expertise remains an important component of developing more effective learning environments.

The workshop is designed for coaches seeking player-centred approaches that encourage footballers to read the game, understand tactical situations and make better decisions on the pitch.

Participants will receive two hours of Football Australia Continuing Professional Development (CPD) recognition.

For GIS, the collaboration provides another opportunity to connect its specialist sports education and analytics expertise with the practical demands of football coaching.

The institute delivers postgraduate sports education through online learning and stadium-based campuses internationally, including Sydney’s Allianz Stadium and SCG.

Its Sydney offering includes the Master of Sports Analytics and Master of International Sports Business, supporting the development of professionals across the sporting industry.

ACPE, established in 1917 and based at Sydney Olympic Park, brings extensive experience in sport, health and physical education, with a strong emphasis on industry-focused learning and practical professional development.

Together with Hills Football Association, the two education providers aim to equip coaches with practical knowledge that can be applied directly within their football environments.

Event details

  • Event: Developing and Supporting Players’ Tactical Understanding
  • Date: Wednesday, 21 October 2026
  • Time: 6pm to 8.30pm
  • Venue: ACPE Campus, 10 Parkview Drive, Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127
  • Presenter: Tom Sermanni
  • Facilitators: Performance analysts from ACPE and GIS
  • CPD: Two hours of Football Australia Continuing Professional Development

Coaches interested in attending are encouraged to register through the event’s official registration channel.

For more information about the education providers, visit Global Institute of Sport and Australian College of Physical Education.

Football NSW backs 20 female coaches with qualification scholarships

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Image Credit: Football NSW

Football NSW has supported 20 female coaches to complete their AFC/Football Australia C Diploma qualification in 2026, using scholarships funded through Football Australia and CommBank’s Growing Football Fund to reduce the cost of coach education.

The initiative included a dedicated female-only C Diploma course delivered by Football NSW in April and May, attended by 13 coaches. An additional seven received support to complete courses closer to their local communities, improving access for coaches across metropolitan and regional New South Wales.

Football NSW Head of Women’s and Schools Football Hayley Todd said the scholarships had helped address a key barrier to coaching development.

“These scholarships have helped remove a significant barrier for many female coaches seeking to progress their coaching journey,” Todd said.

Todd said the combination of a female-only course and support for locally accessible qualifications had created pathways for 20 women to develop their skills and contribute to football in their communities.

The program reflects an ongoing challenge for the sport: increasing women’s participation also requires investment in the coaches who lead teams, develop players and help shape club environments.

By helping cover qualification costs, the scholarships give recipients an opportunity to strengthen their coaching knowledge and leadership capabilities while expanding the pool of qualified female coaches available to clubs.

The support also connects to the wider Growing Football Fund, a joint Football Australia and CommBank initiative aimed at creating more opportunities for women and girls in the game.

The fund’s community grant program offers eligible clubs and associations grants of up to $5,000 to help attract or retain women and girls in football, with applications for the 2026–27 round closing on 20 October 2026.

The governing body also offers Women in Football Coaching Scholarships worth 50 per cent of course costs, with applications limited.

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