2026 Female Football Week wrap

Football West would like to acknowledge everyone who helped make the recent 2026 Female Football Week a success.

This year saw activations in metro and regional WA, as well as online.

Football West Female Football & Advocacy Manager Sarah Carroll said: “Female Football Week continues to showcase the incredible passion and growing appetite for the women's game.

“It's a chance to recognise the many people who give so much to football, and a reminder of how important it is that we keep working together to drive the game forward.”

EVENTS

Female Football Week Awards

Nominated by the WA public, the community awards recognise people who have made a significant impact in female football over the past year.

The five winners were:

• Coach of the Year: Cassandra Paxman (Albany Rovers FC)
• Referee of the Year: Georgia Whitelaw (Great Southern JSA & Albany JSA)
• Volunteer of the Year: Karen Harris (Carramar Shamrock Rovers FC)
• Community Champion of the Year: Melissa Spillman (Football futures Foundations)
• Player of the Year: Georgia Aiesi (Mandurah City FC)

Special mention to Melissa Spillman, who was also a national winner in her respective category.

Women in Football 'Celebrate You' Breakfast

This networking breakfast at the Sam Kerr Football Centre included two panel Q&As.

• Attendees: 60+
• Focus: Recognising and celebrating the many contributions to women’s football through storytelling and connection.

Panel One
Women Onside Chair Kerry Harris; Gaining Ground WA Interim Chair Sue Smith; Football Australia National Female Engagement Lead Karen Hennessy; and Football West Asian Engagement Advisor Robbie Gaspar.

Panel Two
Subiaco AFC New Balance NPL WA Women’s head coach Christine Coppin; NPL WA Women’s referee Jess Byrd; and SEDA student Alicia Johnson.

Regional Girls Day Out (Albany)

• Attendees: 50+
• Focus: A come-and-try style event for girls aged 6–16, providing a fun and inclusive introduction to the game

Regional Women in Football Breakfast (Albany)

• Attendees: 30+
• Focus: A chance to bring together women to connect, share experiences and celebrate the growth of the female game in the Great Southern

Football Australia webinars

Mentoring for Referees

• FIFA match officials Lara Lee and Paula Orlandi shared their journeys and discussed how mentoring has supported their development
• Tom Finch from the Australian Sports Commission talked about creating safe and inclusive spaces for women and girls in officiating
• Football NSW’s Chloe Holmes spoke about why she became a referee and the strong sense of community she has found through officiating

CommBank Matildas: Ask Me Almost Anything

• The team behind the CommBank Matildas shared insights from inside the Australia National Women’s Team’s environment. Speakers included Matildas assistant coach Emily Husband; Matildas general manager Ben Roche, lead performance dietician Alicia Edge; and former Matildas keeper Briana Harvey