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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Optus joins Football Queensland as Telco Partner in the North

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Image Credit: FQ Far North & Gulf Facebook

Football Queensland (FQ) has confirmed its collaboration with Optus, naming the leading telecommunication provider as its Official Telecommunications Partner across the Northern, Far North and Gulf regions.

The collaboration will see Optus play an active role in supporting grassroots football throughout the year-long partnership, with a visible presence at FQ precincts in both Cairns and Townsville. This will include branded signage and community-focused activations at key events, further enhancing the matchday experience for players, families, and fans.

FQ General Manager – Northern Conference, Craig Ramage, said the partnership will be a valuable boost for local communities and reflects FQ’s commitment to growing the game in regional areas.

“Football Queensland is excited to expand its long-standing relationship with Optus as we enter into a thriving partnership in the Northern and Far North & Gulf regions,” he said via press release.

“It is excellent to have a brand as prominent as Optus recognise the importance of grassroots football in regional areas.

“Optus’ year-long support will provide a crucial boost that directly benefits clubs and participants across the region, strengthening communities and actively contributing to FQ’s vision for the future of football.”

Optus General Manager North Queensland, Dave Morrissey, emphasised the importance of the North Queensland football community and Optus’ commitment to supporting the next generation as they develop into future stars of the game.

“It is our absolute pleasure to partner with Football Queensland’s Northern and Far North regions. It is great to get to watch the next generation of young players grow their skills and love for the game, and we appreciate all the support we get in return from the local community,” he said via press release.

Football communities attending events and matches at Paradise Park and Macca’s Park can expect to see Optus actively involved throughout the season, with a strong presence around the grounds that reflects the brand’s commitment to regional engagement and sporting development.

Football Australia CEO James Johnson to step down

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Image credit: Football Australia

Chief Executive Officer of Football Australia, James Johnson has advised the Board of his decision to resign.

Mr Johnson’s decision marks the end of his 5½-year term as CEO of the sport’s governing body, during which he, together with the Board, the Football Australia team, and the wider football community, led one of the most successful eras in Australian football history.

During his tenure, Mr Johnson steered Australian football through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, helping the sport reach record participation levels. Under his leadership, Football Australia launched a 15-year strategic vision, achieved unprecedented revenue growth, implemented significant reforms such as Club Licensing Regulations and updates to the Player Transfer System, and revitalised the Australia Cup by linking it to Asia via the AFC Club Competitions.

Mr Johnson oversaw Football Australia’s successful bid for and hosting of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™, a globally acclaimed event that marked a cultural turning point for sport in Australia. During his time as CEO, Football Australia also secured hosting rights for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ and elevated both the men’s and women’s national teams into prominent global sporting brands, each achieving their best-ever results at the FIFA World Cup 2022™ and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™.

In a reflection on his time at the helm, James Johnson expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead Football Australia over the past 5½ years, highlighting the dedication and talent of the colleagues he worked with throughout his tenure.

“It has been a privilege to lead Football Australia for the past 5½ years, having had the pleasure to work alongside the most talented, committed and dedicated staff, executives and board members,” he said via press release.

“As someone who is immensely passionate about Australian football, this decision has not come easy, but I believe the time is right to step down.

“I want to extend my thank you to the Football Australia Board and everyone within the Australian football community for their support during my tenure. Football is a local and global sport so no matter where I am, I will always be here to support Football Australia and Australian football.”

The Football Australia Board has appointed current director and former Matilda, Heather Garriock, as Interim Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.

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