FFA launches Female Football Week

Football Federation Australia Chief Executive Officer David Gallop today officially launched FFA's Female Football Week, a national promotion and celebration of the role of women and girls in the game.

The week of activities across Australia are dedicated to developing Female Football in Australia coincides with tomorrow's International Women’s Day and the Asian Football Confederation's Women’s Football Day.

Speaking at the launch, Gallop said female football in Australia was pivotal to the game's future development.

“We are proud that more than 20% of our entire participation base of outdoor club players are female. No other footy brand can compare with that,” said Gallop.

"Females represent the fastest growing segment in our participation base. Girls starting out in football have a pathway that goes to World Cups and Olympic Games, and there are fantastic role models in the Westfield Matildas, who are on show at the moment.

“In May last year, FFA released a Whole of Football Plan, a 20-year vision for the game.

“We made a critical strategic call; that women’s football will not be treated as a separate pillar in the game’s development.

“It’s too important to our future to the carved out from the everyday. It must be part of everything we do.

“Whatever the program, whether it’s elite player development, coach education or referee recruitment,we will place women’s football in the equation at the outset,” concluded Gallop.

FFA Head of Community and Women’s Football, Emma Highwood, said that the Female Football Week is a fantastic opportunity to highlight all the positives of Female Football in Australia.

“Last year we saw record participation numbers in our female grassroots registration levels with over 100,000 females playing regularly for clubs throughout the football season,” said Highwood.

“We hope to surpass that number this year following the recent success of the Westfield Matildas on the world stage increasing the profile of Female Football around the country.

“Football is a great sport for Girls and Women to get active and develop personally and socially.

“FFA is committed to continue developing Female Football and promoting Gender Equity in Football whenever possible,” concluded Highwood.

Throughout Female Football Week each of the nine State and Territory Member Federations of FFA will be conducting a range of activities all aimed to celebrate and recognise Female Football which include:

• Female only coaching courses- Advanced and Community
• Referee Courses
• Girls Football Festivals and Gala days
• 5 a-side football friendlies
• AIA Vitality MiniRoos for Girls Kick-off programs
• Parent and daughter sessions
• Administrator Networking Functions
• Women’s Leadership Workshops
• Women’s National Premier Leagues Launch
• Community Club female engagement education workshops
• Regional Club visits
• Westfield Matilda & W-League Player signing sessions

For more information regarding details of the activities of Female Football Week please contact your local member federation.