From the Matildas to the World Stage: FCA Hosts Star-Studded Women’s Football Panel

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Football Coaches Australia

Football Coaches Australia will present a special expert panel workshop on Monday February 16 at 7:30pm (Melbourne time), bringing together leading voices from across the women’s game to preview the upcoming AFC Women’s Tournament in Australia this March.

The online event will feature an experienced and diverse lineup of coaches and football leaders, offering unique insights into tournament preparation, player development and the continued growth of women’s football.

The evening will open with Steve Darby, a former Matildas coach who worked with the national team during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Darby will reflect on the early evolution of the Matildas program and share his experiences preparing national teams for international competition, drawing on extensive coaching work across Australia, Asia and the United Kingdom.

Philippines Women’s National Team Head Coach Mark Torcaso will then provide an inside look at his squad’s preparation for the upcoming tournament. Melbourne-born Torcaso offers a valuable perspective on international team development and high-performance planning.

Current Matildas Assistant Coach Emily Husband will outline Australia’s preparation for the tournament, before FCA Executive Board Member and former Matilda discusses the current state and future direction of the women’s game in Australia.

Scottish Women’s National Team Head Coach Mel Andreatta will also join the session, contributing to discussion and donating two 12-month FCA memberships to be awarded to female attendees.

Each presenter will deliver a short presentation followed by an interactive Q&A session with participants.

Coaches and attendees can register via Eventbrite.

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Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia to release vouchers to promote sport and recreation

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Image Credit: Victoria State Government

The three southern states of east Australia to release vouchers encouraging Australians to participate in physical activities.

Victoria -Get Active Kids Program

The Victorian states offer up to $200 vouchers per child to families. This grant aims to coverup front costs of memberships, registration fees, uniforms and equipment across a wide range of sporting codes and recreation activities, soccer being in the list.

To be an eligible candidate for the voucher the child must be 18 or under and named on a Commonwealth Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, and named on a Medicare Card. A special consideration stream is also available to support children in care, temporary or provisional visa holders, migrants and international students.

The voucher are available from now until the 26th of April 2026.

Tasmania -Ticket to play 

Tasmania recently launched its Ticket to play program. This voucher offers up to $100, it covers sports’ club membership fees. They can be used at two different activity providers, or both can be used at one activity provider.

Only children aged from 5 to 18 will be able to apply for this voucher. They must be listed on a Services Australia Health Care or Pensioner Concession card or have received Family Tax Benefit A in the previous or current financial year.

However, exceptions occur for children in approved out of home care or temporary or provisional visa holders. Undocumented migrants or international students can also apply.

After the 29th of May 2026, vouchers won’t be available for purchase. However, Tasmanians are able to use their vouchers up until the 5th of June 2026.

Southern Australia -Sports Vouchers Plus 

The southern state also provides its residents with vouchers dedicate to supporting more physical activity among the youth. Children attending primary school from year 6 to year 9 can apply for two vouchers of $100. The provider might request for the 11-digit Medicare number or Australian visa number of the child.

These vouchers can be used to get discounts on sports or dance membership/registration fees. It also covers the cost of swimming lessons programs and music lessons.

Southern Australians are free to use their Vouchers for the whole year of 2026.

JH Allan Reserve in Keilor East to undergo lighting upgrades

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Image credit: Football Victoria

After strong backing from the community and Football Victoria, Moonee Valley City Council confirmed the green light for upgrades to proceed later this year.

Resounding support

Ahead of the council meeting on Tuesday 24 March, Football Victoria and five Moonee Valley Council clubs created a petition backing lighting improvements at JH Allan Reserve.

What followed was an astounding 624 signatures – a demonstration of the power of united, community support. As a result, main tenants Moonee Ponds United SC and four addition clubs (including Essendon Royals FC, Avondale FC, FC Strathmore and the Moonee Valley Knights) will all benefit from the developments.

“As one of the only facilities within Moonee Valley not shared with other codes, ensuring that JH Allan Reserve meets the needs of our participants is crucial for Football Victoria,” said FV Head of Government Relations and Strategy, Lachlan Cole.

“It was fantastic to see participants and officials from those five clubs come together, support this project, and unite to speak on behalf of their needs. And it was even more heartening to see the wider football community throw their support behind the development by signing the petition.”

 

A long-awaited verdict

The decision comes as a huge step forward for the local football community, arriving after an extended process of consultations and surveys.

In September 2022, Moonee Valley City Council endorsed the Moonee Valley Soccer Strategy, which sought to identify potential upgrades at JH Allan Reserve.

Furthermore, during the community consulation between March and April 2023, 365 people participated in a survey regarding the developments. In the end, 65% of responses supported or strongly supported the installation of sports lighting at the ground.

It is therefore clear that, for much of the community, this was a cause worth fighting for. Over three years since the initial endorsement from Moonee Valley City Council, JH Allan Reserve is now set for a vital upgrade.

Final thoughts

More importantly, however, are the current and future athletes who will feel the benefit from these developments.

Football participation is growing and will continue to do so, in Moonee Valley, Victoria and Australia as a whole. That is why developments like this are so vital.

They are not merely nice to have, but are fundamental to supporting future footballers in the community by providing them with the facilities and environment to play.

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