Women’s football and the extensive impact women have at all levels of the game will take the spotlight during Female Football Week, which will encompass the Hyundai A-League’s split Round 23.
Female Football Week will be officially launched tonight (7 March 2017) on the eve of International Women’s Day and recognise the immense growth of women’s football and the key roles women play in all aspects of the game.
Female Football Week will also have a number of official ambassadors to further drive the promotion and awareness of the contribution females make to football across Australia.
The ambassadors comprise of FFA CEO David Gallop, former Matilda, Partner, Gilbert+Tobin, AFC Executive Committee Member and FFA Board Member Moya Dodd, Westfield Matildas Head Coach Alen Stajcic, current Westfield Matildas Kyah Simon and Michelle Heyman, former Matilda Tal Karp and Brisbane Roar FC captain and Caltex Socceroo Matt McKay.
A key objective of Female Football Week to is to drive female participation, while also acknowledging the large number of women who are currently actively involved in the game in any capacity.
“Female participation makes up an integral part of football and why it is Australia’s largest club based participation sport,” said Gallop.
“Football has been a driving force in the advancement of women’s sport in Australia. With the Westfield W-League and the amazing success of our national women’s team, the Westfield Matildas, girls have a pathway to the world’s biggest sport and have heroes to emulate.”
On the field, women’s football is the fastest growing area of the sport and female participation continues to increase, particularly among girls under the age of 14.
The growth of women’s football is poised to continue moving ahead in leaps and bounds with the introduction of programs such as ‘Miniroos for Girls’ coupled with the increasing exposure of the Westfield W-League and Westfield Matildas.
“This is the second year Female Football Week has been run nationally and the amount of support and exposure it has received from all levels of the football community has been tremendous,” said FFA Head of Head of Community, Football Development and Women’s Football, Emma Highwood.
“There are so many women in our game who contribute, whether it be playing, coaching, volunteering, refereeing or supporting, and this initiative is a time to acknowledge them and spread the message of why football is such a great game for women and girls to get involved in as it’s all about fun and enjoying a healthy balanced lifestyle.”
Member Federations, associations and clubs, ranging from Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League clubs down to local grassroots clubs, will be involved in promoting Female Football Week in what has become an annual nationwide initiative.
Activities and events to be held throughout Female Football Week will include activations at Hyundai A-League Round 23 matches, female only football festivals, coaching and refereeing courses, the launch of ‘Miniroos for Girls’ kick-off programs, plus a host of ‘meet and greet’ signing opportunities with Westfield Matildas and Westfield W-League players.
For more information on Female Football Week activities and promotions taking place around the country, click here.
Hyundai A-League 2016/17 Season – Female Football Week (Round 23) Fixtures
Friday 10 March
Sydney FC v Central Coast Mariners
Allianz Stadium (Kick-Off 7.50pm AEDT)
Saturday 11 March
Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory
AAMI Park (Kick-Off 7.50pm AEDT)
Saturday 18 March
Melbourne City FC v Newcastle Jets
AAMI Park (Kick-Off 7.50pm AEDT)
Sunday 19 March
Adelaide United v Brisbane Roar FC
Coopers Stadium (Kick-Off 5.00pm ACDT, 5.30pm AEDT)
Sunday 19 March
Western Sydney Wanderers FC v Wellington Phoenix
Spotless Stadium (Kick-Off 7.00pm AEDT)
