Football Australia has today announced that it will formally recognise the achievements of 42 former Australian women’s representative players including members of the 1975 team which participated in the first AFC Women’s Asian Cup™.
Following extensive research undertaken by Football Australia’s historians and the recent release of the first-ever AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ History Book, the Football Australia Board has endorsed the recommendation to celebrate the legacy and contributions of the identified players from the period of 1975 - to 2013.
This formal recognition will see former women’s players who participated in the 1975 AFC sanctioned tournament and players who were selected by the national governing body at the time but did not participate in “A” internationals welcomed into the national team family.
Football Australia CEO, James Johnson, was delighted to see the national team family expanded to embrace players who helped lay the foundations of the game today.
“It is important that we celebrate the achievements of those who have contributed so much to our game. With the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ fast approaching, we have a unique opportunity to spotlight women’s football in Australia and the impact these players have made,” Johnson said.
“The women who have been recognised today for their accomplishments are a shining example of the rich history of football in our country, which is so closely linked to the Australian story. We are proud to welcome them into the national team’s family.
“It is essential that as we build towards a bold and exciting future for women’s football, we take the time to honour the past and the legacy that we will leverage to take to the sport to the next level through Legacy ’23.”
Football Australia will include the players in their official records and in the coming months will formally celebrate them in the presence of the football community.
1975 TEAM: Pat O’Connor (captain), Christel Abenthum, Sue Binns, Kim Coates, Julie Dolan, Lynn Everett Miller, Trudy Fischer, Cindy Heydon, Vicky Kohen, Sue Larsen, Lynn McKenzie, Connie Selby, Trixie Tagg, Sue Taylor, Stacey Tracy, Gundy Zarins
NATIONALLY SELECTED REPRESENTATIVES: Nicky Azzato, Toni Bashford, Nella Bertoncini, Michelle Carney, Sue Clayton, Corinne Currey, Emma Davison, Raeanne Dower, Maria Doyle, Tanya Dyer, Lyn Egan, Nicole Green, Jessica Halfpenny, Pelay Ingles, Jodi Jarman, Sara King, Nicole Komorowski, Barbara Kozak, Georgette Leake, Gail Pace, Sharon Pearson, Dimitra Poulos, Joanne Powell, Sue Read, Kerrie Rowe, Kim Schaefer, Connie Selby, Anna Senjuschenko, Kristen Spinner, Stacey Stocco, Janice Stott, Mia Thompson, Teresa Varadi (Kozak), Mara Watts, Monica Werner, Kaye Yardin
* denotes players who have already been previously recognised as part of other teams