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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Mbappé move from Nike to On signals new battle for Football’s sponsorship market

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Kylian Mbappe UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifier
Image Credit: Shutterstock

Kylian Mbappé’s decision to leave Nike after almost 20 years has opened a new chapter in the commercial battle for football’s biggest names. The Real Madrid and France star has joined Swiss sportswear brand On, a significant boon for the company on entry into the football market.

Mbappé’s departure is a significant commercial loss for Nike. The forward joined the company as a nine-year-old and grew into one of its leading football figures. His loss compounds the recent transition of Spanish star Lamine Yamal to long-time rival Adidas.

On built its reputation in running, before expanding into tennis via Roger Federer. It will now use Mbappé’s experience as it develops football products, with its first boots expected to become widely available in the near future. Former France star Thierry Henry has also joined On as its football director and is a shareholder.

On has confirmed that Mbappé’s agreement includes both cash and equity, although the financial details have not been released, gives the partnership a deeper commercial connection than a traditional endorsement deal. Nike still holds significant football contracts, including long-term partnership with numerous national teams.

However, Mbappé’s move gives On an opportunity to challenge the established order, including Nike, Adidas, Puma and other emerging competitors. But will they turn this prized signature into lasting football credibility? To do so, the brand must now deliver products that can compete on performance, design and price.

Mbappé’s switch is therefore more than a sponsorship change. It signals an increasingly competitive fight for football’s most influential athletes and the billions of fans who follow them.

SBS expands Australian Championship broadcast coverage for 2026

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Image Credits: Football Australia

The Australian Championship will enter its second season with an expanded broadcast partnership between Football Australia and SBS. The 2026 competition will feature two live SBS broadcasts in every round, marking an increase from the tournament’s debut season.

Thursday night football will form a key part of the new broadcast schedule. The opening match will see Preston Lions face Wollongong Wolves on October 15th, with the game broadcast live on SBS2 and SBS On Demand. Saturday football will also remain part of the free-to-air schedule; first up, Sutherland Sharks’ clash with South Melbourne on October 17th will be shown live on SBS and SBS On Demand.

The expanded agreement gives the competition a greater presence across SBS’s linear channels while retaining its full streaming coverage, with every match across the 2026 Australian Championship available live on SBS On Demand. The platform also provides full replays and highlights for viewers to access at their discretion.

In addition to SBS’ coverage, Football Australia will also stream the competition via YouTube.

The Australian Championship consists of a six-round group stage, finals beginning at quarter-finals from November 26, and a Grand Final scheduled currently between December 10-12.

It features 16 clubs from seven states and territories. The broadcast schedule places several historic fixtures in front of a national audience: South Melbourne will meet Sydney United 58 in a repeat of the 1999 NSL Grand Final, and Sydney Olympic and Marconi Stallions will also renew a rivalry that includes NSL Grand Final meetings in 1989 and 1990.

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