The gaping holes in Australia’s football history – Interview with football writer and researcher Greg Werner

When I asked Greg Werner why he was interested in researching and recording the grassroots clubs of each and every Socceroo and Matilda, his answer was simple.

“It was born out of frustration, frustration that the largest sector of the game in this country was being ignored.”

In 2014, the Sutherland Shire based writer set about righting that ship and his journey continues to this very day. Over the last five years, Werner has ventured to all points of the domestic compass in an attempt to shed light on the origins of Australia’s representative footballers and in an effort to flesh out Australia’s footballing story.

His travels led to an unexpected publication, yet his passion to create a more in depth and detailed narrative of the Australian game has always been the most powerful driver behind what is a bold and broad reaching vision.

The trigger for the time consuming and often frustrating quest was an SBS piece on the Matilda, Servet Uzunlar. Werner recalls it vividly.

“I discovered during the segment that Unzular grew up playing in the same association in which I had spent 10 years playing & coaching. I asked myself why. If I was unaware of such a wonderful local players’ presence, how much else had escaped me?”

By extension, the key question for Werner became, “How many clubs were going completely unacknowledged for their contribution to our national teams.”

Such are the holes in the Australian footballing narrative and oft is the point made that the game existed on the national sporting landscape well before the heroics of the Socceroos at the 1974 World Cup. Equally emblematic of a poorly recorded history is the fact that many young A-League fans appear somewhat ignorant of the glory days of the NSL and the contributions made by community clubs during that period.

Greg Werner chats with former Socceroo Manager Ange Postecoglou in 2018.

Werner’s ambition focusses specifically on the individual players who have worn national colours; those whose early years of development are often overlooked and unrecorded at the expense of the contemporary concerns of the team they represented.

I put Werner’s claim that “If you are to go to just about any player’s Wikipedia entry you would think that they did not start playing until the age of 15,” to the test and in most cases, it proved correct.

Appearing as something of an enormous task, I asked Werner where he began.

“I started with what I knew from conversations on the side lines of the Shire and personal experience. The Griffiths brothers (Joel, Adam and Ryan) played at Menai, Graham ‘Arnie’ Arnold played at Gwawley Bay, Murray Barnes began at Kissing Point & my best mate Richie Bell started with Cronulla RSL.”

“Beginning with those bare bones, I realised there were only 800 more players to research,” recounted Werner with something of a tired chuckle.

“The search for answers began with Facebook, and was continued on the side lines of international training sessions, after A & W-League games, at NPL matches and even at FFA Cup and Champion of Champions finals. It also, beyond everything else, involved thousands of hours trawling through programs, magazines and newspapers going back to whenever.”

Werner has seen every major Socceroos game in Sydney since 1969, bar the disaster of 1981 and every home Matildas game since 2015.

It was the insistence of Fox Sports commentator Andy Harper that Werner’s mission would only be taken seriously with a supporting website to present the material. Now overflowing with history and memory, http://www.grassrootsfootballproject.com/ presents the accumulated research in a written and visual form.

The Grassroots Football Project logo.

Perhaps both the intention behind and the potential impact of the Grassroots Football Project is best encapsulated in Werner’s own words, “I have had the absolute honour of meeting men who were my footballing heroes and men whom I had never even heard of before the GFP.”

Such a sentiment now extends to the women’s game and no doubt the next generation of female players currently competing in junior play will be advantaged by the opportunity to read about the pioneering Matildas; those women who paved the untrodden and difficult path towards support and acceptance of the women’s game.

Werner with former Matildas Renaye Iserief, Janine McPhee, Sunni Hughes and Julie Murray.

The collated facts and data proved too enticing for renowned publisher of football books Fairplay Publishing to ignore. Werner became a co-author of the Encyclopaedia of Matildas; a visually stunning text that journeys through the history of the team and the women at the core of its success.

“It was an honour to have been given the opportunity to co-author the text and also beyond my wildest dreams. Now my dreams have shifted and I already have another book in the works and the one after that is already in the planning.”

Research has sent Werner to hundreds of gatherings in recent years.

“When Brazil toured here in 2017, I took the day off work to go to Newcastle to the first Matildas Reunion, a gathering of 60 players from all over the country. That night I added almost 20 entries to my list and had the best night of my footballing life apart from November 16th 2005. I left there at 1am to drive home to Cronulla, dealing with 40kph speed zones all the way down the freeway.

I have had the honour of spending time with some of the legends of the Australian game.”

Not seeking personal gain, Werner’s simple ambition is to “change the way the powers that be regard the most important clubs in the country,” and in turn “to make the history of our game relevant”.

It is an admirable and bold endeavour and one destined to continue.

“The GFP was never designed to be completed, for as long as internationals were being played, new players would be picked. My only aim was that their stories would be told, something which is now starting to be done. The end game would be that a plaque would be placed at the home ground of each of these clubs to make tangible their contribution.”

Something tells me that Greg Werner’s passion and energy may well make those plaques a reality. What a fitting tribute they would be to the grassroots clubs that have provided the Socceroos and Matildas with such wonderful players and people throughout Australia’s footballing history.

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Building an inclusive sports future: Interview with No Limits Sports CEO Josh Clark

No Limits Sports is an organisation dedicated to fostering a lifelong love of sport in children by providing safe, inclusive, and engaging programs that build fundamental skills, promote fairness and sportsmanship and uphold strong safeguarding standards.

The company was founded 13 years ago, starting as a “one-man operation”, and has since expanded into a nationwide provider with over 750 coaches and a wide range of programs delivered across both metro and regional areas. 

Speaking to Soccerscene, CEO of No Limits Sports Josh Clark shares how he grew the company from a business ran by just one person into a national organisation focused on inclusive, accessible sports programs for children of all abilities and backgrounds—overcoming recruitment challenges, expanding into regional areas, and embracing Indigenous culture—while continuing to grow and eyeing international opportunities.

Can you tell us about your responsibilities as CEO and how No Limits Sports has grown and changed since it began?

Josh Clark: As CEO, I’m involved in nearly every part of the business. My responsibilities span from recruitment and managing staff to overseeing marketing, sales, bookings, and logistics, right down to handling payroll and invoicing. With a large team of coaches operating nationwide and a sizable office team, there’s always something that needs attention.

When I first launched No Limits Sports, it was just me — a one-person operation. Since then, we’ve grown into a national organisation. That growth has brought more complexity and diversity to what we do, which has naturally changed the nature of my role. I began in a hands-on coaching capacity, but this quickly changed. I’ve transitioned into more of a strategic leadership position, focused on long-term development and guiding the broader direction and growth of the company.

Were there any initial challenges you faced when expanding No Limits Sports and if so how did you overcome them?

Josh Clark: One of the biggest challenges we faced—both in the early days and still to some extent today—has been recruiting the right staff. We’re always looking for experienced and qualified coaches, but we also believe in investing in emerging talent. We often bring on younger, less experienced individuals who show potential and offer them training and upskilling opportunities to help them grow into the role.

In recent years, we’ve implemented a robust recruitment and HR software system, which has significantly streamlined our hiring and onboarding processes. It’s made it much easier to manage applications, track coach development, and stay organised, especially as we’ve expanded into regional areas beyond the metro centres. That investment in technology has been a key part of overcoming the recruitment challenge and supporting our continued growth.

How does No Limits Sports ensure that its programs remain inclusive and accessible to children of all abilities and backgrounds?

Josh Clark: I’ve been deeply passionate about ensuring our programs are inclusive and accessible to children of all abilities and backgrounds. We’ve proudly partnered with the Special Olympics for over 10 years, and we work closely with numerous special schools and support units across the country to deliver tailored sports programs for students with additional needs.

We’ve developed our own inclusive programs, as well as using The Special Olympics’ programs to ensure that all children can participate regardless of their ability. A key part of this commitment has been investing in our coaching team, providing them with specialist training and qualifications so they feel confident and capable of delivering inclusive sessions.

Another priority for us is reaching students in regional and remote communities. Many other sports providers don’t have the capacity to operate in these areas, but we’ve made it a core part of our mission. We deliver programs in places like Alice Springs, Port Lincoln, Devonport, Lismore, Gladstone, and so many other regional towns.

Inclusivity, both in terms of ability and geography, is central to what we do. Whether it’s special schools, regional communities, or mainstream metro programs, we’re committed to making quality sports experiences available to every child, no matter where they live or what their needs may be.

Image credit: No Limits Sports

Can you tell us a bit about the Traditional Indigenous Games (TIG) the significance of incorporating it into your curriculum and the impact it has on participants?

Josh Clark: Our Traditional Indigenous Games (TIG) program is based on the Yulunga: Traditional Indigenous Games resource developed by the Australian Sports Commission. This collection features over 140 games from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures across Australia. We’ve carefully selected the most engaging and popular games that really resonate with students and work well in a school or community setting.

The program is rooted in extensive research and documentation of traditional games from diverse Indigenous communities. We make a point to honour the cultural origins of each game by sharing its traditional name, the region it comes from, and the original materials used. For example, some games were originally played with kangaroo skin balls—while we now use modern equipment, we ensure students still understand the historical context and cultural significance.

The TIG program is especially popular around NAIDOC Week, with many schools and OOSH & vacation care services incorporating it into their celebrations. Beyond the cultural learning, the games themselves are incredibly fun and active—many involve teamwork, ball handling, and evasion skills, which translate well to a variety of other sports. Most importantly, the program gives students a meaningful way to engage with and appreciate Indigenous culture through physical activity, often playing games they’ve never experienced before.

What feedback have you received regarding the impact of No Limits Sports programs on children’s development?

Josh Clark: Our goal as a business is to help children develop a lifelong love of sport by giving them access to try lots of different sports and activities, making sure it’s done in a really inclusive and fun environment. We regularly receive positive feedback from schools, parents, OOSH services, and the clubs we collaborate with, which reassures us that we’re making an impact.

The most meaningful feedback, however, often comes from two key areas. First, from regional schools where students may not have previously had access to quality coaching or diverse sports programs. Second, from our inclusive sports programs, particularly those designed for children with additional needs. Hearing directly from students, parents, and schools in these spaces about the positive difference we’ve made is incredibly rewarding and reinforces why we do what we do.

Image credit: No Limits Sports

How is No Limits Sports currently tracking and what does the future hold for the company?

Josh Clark: We are growing rapidly, both in terms of the number of customers we work with and the size of our coaching team. We’ve seen consistent year-on-year growth and currently operate across all States and Territories in Australia. We’re also exploring opportunities to expand internationally, with New Zealand being a potential next step.

Looking ahead, the upcoming Brisbane Olympics in seven years adds an exciting layer of opportunity for the Australian sports industry. There’s been a renewed national focus on grassroots participation and talent development, which aligns perfectly with our mission. It’s an exciting time to be in this space, and our goal is to continue expanding our reach and increasing the number of quality coaches we provide across all communities.

Can the A-League Women keep the Matildas’ flame alive?

In the winter of 2023, the Matildas didn’t just play football, they made history. More than 11.5 million Australians watched their World Cup semi-final against England — the most-viewed TV program in Australian history, according to OzTAM data. Streets filled with fans, fan zones overflowed, and for a fleeting moment, women’s football wasn’t a niche sport, it was the beating heart of the nation.

But now, over a year later, the energy has waned. Despite record participation rates in grassroots football, the A-League Women (ALW) has struggled to capture and sustain the public’s attention.

According to a recent Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) report, only 50% of ALW players are on full-time contracts, and nearly one in five players are considering early retirement due to financial instability.

Melbourne Victory star Beattie Goad announced her retirement at just 27, citing the competition’s part-time nature as unsustainable. She’s a three-cap Matilda and a title-winner with both Melbourne City and Melbourne Victory.

She wasn’t alone. In March 2024, her teammate and seven-time Matilda Emma Checker declared she’d retire at 28 to secure a job outside football. And in October, former Matilda’s great Elise Kellond-Knight also stepped away after 16 years in the game, again, due to financial strain.

These are elite athletes juggling second jobs and uncertain futures in what should be a thriving professional league. For a competition that should be riding a wave of national pride, this is more than disappointing, it’s a structural failure.

While the Matildas ignited the country, the ALW is still fighting for visibility. Despite the Matildas’ extraordinary success, there’s been little impact on league attendance and broadcast numbers. The average ALW crowd size in 2023–24 was just over 2,400 people per game,  a modest increase from previous years, but nowhere near what the World Cup buzz should have fuelled.

Even the launch of the 2024–25 season came with a whimper. The Guardian described it as having a “quiet build-up,” reflecting the broader issue of under-promotion. Where was the media hype, the marketing campaign, the sense of occasion? The stars are there with players such as Cortnee Vine, Michelle Heyman, Alex Chidiac. But without consistent media presence, they remain invisible to casual fans.

Then there’s scheduling. Too many A-League Women matches are tucked away in poor time slots or played in hard-to-access suburban grounds. This isn’t just a football issue; it’s a visibility issue. Fans can’t attend games they don’t know about, or can’t get to. Doubleheaders with men’s games, while well-intentioned, often result in women’s matches playing second fiddle. They deserve standalone stages, not shared spotlights.

And while Football Australia has confirmed a new men’s National Second Tier launching in 2025. There’s no equivalent plan for women, no national second-tier league, no promotion and relegation pathway. The development pipeline for female players ends abruptly at the elite level. That’s not just short-sighted — it’s neglectful.

So, what needs to happen?

Full-time professionalism must become the standard. As the PFA has made clear, a semi-professional structure will only deliver semi-professional outcomes. Better wages, longer contracts, and post-career planning are essential if we want athletes to commit long-term.

Football Australia and the APL must lead with vision. As Football Australia unveils a new national second-tier men’s competition in 2025, the glaring lack of a second-tier pathway for women is striking. How can we build depth without structure?

Media partners and broadcasters must treat the ALW like a premium product. That means storytelling, promotion, and regular prime-time coverage, not burying games on digital-only platforms or at inaccessible hours. ALW matches should be promoted with the same energy and visibility as the men’s games. Tapping into streaming platforms, pre-match content, and post-game analysis can help generate interest beyond the core fan base.

Clubs must step up, not just in funding but in identity. Women’s teams cannot remain side projects or afterthoughts to the men’s program. Equal access to training facilities, medical care, and media teams should be the norm.

And fans must keep showing up. If you cheered for the Matildas, consider turning up for Western United or Melbourne Victory. Bring your kids. Buy the jersey. Follow the league. Push your club to do more. The spark lit by the Matildas can’t burn without fuel. Attending games, engaging online, and demanding better from the institutions that govern football will keep the pressure on.

I saw it for myself—during the World Cup, families with young girls packed into fan zones, strangers high-fived over goals, and jerseys sold out nationwide. That kind of cultural moment doesn’t come around often. We can’t afford to treat it as a blip.

The Matildas lit the fire. Now it’s on the A-League Women — and all of us — to keep it burning.

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