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Federal Government announces $3.1 million investment into women’s football
The Australian Federal Government has announced an investment of $3.1 million over two years to encourage greater participation of women and girls in football, to expand the MiniRoos for Girls Program (for girls aged 6-12 years) and the Girls 12+ Football Your Way Engagement Experience Program.
In Tuesday’s Federal Budget, the Government emphasised the importance of maximising the social, economic and sporting outcomes of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™ – the single largest women’s sporting event in the world – and the unique opportunity it presents to leverage significant legacy initiatives.
The funding forms part of Football Australia’s ambitious Legacy ’23 plan to deliver enduring benefits as a result of co-hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™, including gender parity by 2027, which would see an additional 400,000 female participants.
Football Australia Chief Executive Officer James Johnson acknowledged and thanked the Federal Government for their continued support of Football Australia and Legacy ’23.
“Football Australia has undertaken extensive planning and modelling for Legacy ’23 and we are thrilled that the Federal Government have reviewed these plans and continue to show their support for the growth and development of our game at all levels, but particularly at the grassroots,” Johnson said.
“Widely recognised as Australia’s largest club-base community sport, we are also determined to become the centre of women’s football in the Asia-Pacific region. This funding will ensure we can continue this journey of transformation and provide more women and girls with access to football – on and off the pitch – in the lead up to and beyond the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™, which is now just 16 months away.”
Minister for Sport, Richard Colbeck, added:
“This will be the largest ever women’s sporting event and it is a privilege for Australia to co-host the event with New Zealand,” he said.
“The event will strengthen Australia’s world-class reputation as a global leader in women’s sport and is part of a green and gold decade of major sporting events to be hosted in our country.
“The Federal Government’s $3.1 million investment in FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 legacy programs will be critical to ensuring community level football around Australia is further strengthened particularly with more women and girls participating and engaged.”
This recent commitment to assisting in driving the future growth of women’s football at the grassroots level follows last year’s backing of Football Australia’s National Club Development Program as well as High Performance to the tune of $12 million.
In 2019, after the eighth edition of the tournament in France, football participation grew by more than 850,000.
Following a distinguished coaching career that included reaching the heights of the Premier League, Scott Miller is now embracing the next chapter of his professional journey.
No stranger to Australian football, Miller was Head Coach of the Newcastle Jets Men’s team and as an assistant coach for the Socceroos leading up to the 2014 World Cup. With extensive international experience from his time at Fulham FC, where he witnessed everything coaching had to offer, Miller decided in 2023 that a new direction was needed.
Now, as the Chief Commercial Officer at iReel, a Gen AI sports technology company, Miller combines his passion for coaching and sports technology to deliver valuable solutions to sporting organisations. iReel’s vision is to become the leading provider of Gen AI in sport, and Miller is at the forefront of this innovative journey.
In this interview with Soccerscene, Miller reflects on his 17 years in coaching, the lessons he’s learned from working overseas compared to Australia, how iReel presented itself as an opportunity, and why sports technology is essential in today’s sporting landscape.
You’ve had experience from the Premier League to the A-League. How has your journey been so far?
Scott Miller: My background originally stems from playing in the Victorian Premier League. I signed with former NSL team the Gippsland Falcons as a youth and came through their youth system, but I didn’t make a senior appearance due to a serious leg injury. This injury gave me clarity about the longevity of a career in sport as an athlete, which led me to pursue a degree in exercise science at ACU in Melbourne.
During that time, my interest in physical performance and its alignment with football grew. I took the initiative to make as many contacts overseas as possible, which was quite a challenge pre-LinkedIn, relying on handwritten letters. I was fortunate to have family in London, which allowed me to explore opportunities there. I landed a role at Fulham FC, starting in their academy system and eventually working with the first team. Within six months, I was offered a full-time contract with the Premier League team, marking the beginning of an exciting 10-year journey.
My time at Fulham was filled with learning opportunities, including earning my UEFA A license and a degree in sports psychology. I worked with top-level managers like Chris Coleman, Roy Hodgson, Mark Hughes, Martin Jol, René Meulensteen, and Felix Magath. These experiences helped shape my career, leading to a role as an assistant coach, where we achieved multiple top-10 finishes and reached the 2010 Europa League final against Atletico Madrid—a highlight of my time at Fulham.
Were you always looking to get into coaching, or did your injury force your hand?
Scott Miller: Coaching wasn’t my initial plan, but it became a natural evolution for me. Roy Hodgson, in particular, inspired me with his methodology and the impact he had on players. With my background in high performance, football knowledge, and a passion for psychology, I naturally transitioned into coaching. By the age of 27, I was delivering sessions to Premier League players, covering various aspects of training outside of tactics.
My journey into coaching continued when Ange Postecoglou invited me to join him as an assistant with the Socceroos, which was a fantastic experience. Later, he recommended me for the head coaching role at Newcastle Jets at just 33 years old. My time working with some of the best players and coaches in the Premier League was invaluable in shaping my approach to coaching.
What insights can you share from your experiences in the UK?
Scott Miller: Football culture in the UK is deeply ingrained—it’s more than just a sport; it’s a way of life. The Premier League is a global phenomenon, vastly larger in scale than the A-League, with financial and commercial resources that drive innovation and performance.
Another key difference is the highly competitive environment. The standards are ruthless, and if you’re not up to par, you’re quickly replaced. This applies to everyone, from coaches to players and support staff. I experienced this firsthand, often finding myself as the cultural link between outgoing and incoming managers due to my role as a central figure in the club’s operations.
The financial resources available in the Premier League also allow for greater opportunities for coaches to build sustainable careers. The remuneration packages are significantly different compared to the A-League, providing a stable foundation for those working in football.
You are now the Chief Commercial Officer at iReel. How did that transition come about?
Scott Miller: Coaching has been a significant part of my life since I was 24, but after nearly two decades, I felt the need for a new challenge. I wanted to innovate, develop new skills, and contribute to a space that is pioneering and future-focused. The opportunity to join iReel came at the perfect time.
James Doyle, the founder of iReel, reached out to me, and knowing him for some time, I was excited to join the venture. iReel is at the forefront of Gen AI in sports, and the chance to build technology that can transform the sporting industry was too good to pass up. It’s a different kind of challenge but one that’s equally rewarding.
Why would you recommend a career in sports technology for post-playing careers?
Scott Miller: Sports technology offers a unique opportunity for players looking to transition after their playing careers. The skills developed in sports, such as communication, leadership, and performance, are highly transferable to the tech space.
The sports tech industry allows you to stay involved in the sport while also building its future. Unlike coaching or analysis roles that are often dependent on performance results, a career in sports tech lets you create something from the ground up. It’s a powerful and fulfilling path that I highly recommend to anyone looking to stay connected to sports in a meaningful way.
For full information on iReel and to contact the team, you can do so here.
Football Victoria has introduced a new program called GO Family, inviting families to enjoy football together focusing on improving fitness and building stronger family connections.
The six-week social program provides more opportunities to be involved in Football through the provision of inclusive and quality physical activity experiences.
The GO Family came about through a successful application by Football Victoria, the City of Maribyrnong and local football clubs.
Together, they secured funding through the Australian Sports Commission’s Play Well Participation Grant, making the City of Maribyrnong the first to deliver the new program both statewide and nationwide.
Cr Cuc Lam, City of Maribyrnong Mayor, said about the launch of the new family program:
“Introducing GO Family to our community will provide families with a unique opportunity to bond over a shared love of football, recreation, and fun,” she said via a Football Victoria media release.
“Council is committed to reaching as many individuals as possible and creating a sense of belonging within our community.
“With football growing in popularity, GO Family is an opportunity to engage the whole family—watching and playing together. This program hopes to inspire families to come together, stay active, and build lasting memories.”
Football Victoria also commented about the program via their media release:
“This program is about more than just football; it’s about having fun, staying active, and spending quality time together as a family. It also offers a pathway to connect with local clubs for future involvement, creating lasting memories and stronger community ties,” Football Victoria said.
The program kicks off with a special launch event on Saturday, September 21, from 11am to 1pm at RecWest Braybrook.
The first official session of the GO Family program will take place on Tuesday, October 8, from 6pm to 7:30 pm at Johnson Reserve in West Footscray, and is open to participants aged 7 years and up.
The sessions will be led by Football Victoria coaches in partnership with three local FA Club Changer Clubs: Maribyrnong Swifts, Yarraville Glory Football Club, and Footscray United Rangers.
Registrations for both the launch event and the six-week program are now open.
For more information about GO Family, visit their website.
