There was a strong turnout for the 2026 Women in Football ‘Celebrate You’ Breakfast, where this year’s Female Football Week Award winners were announced.
The annual Football West breakfast celebrates the outstanding contributions of women to WA football.
Around 70 people attended last Friday’s event at the Sam Kerr Football Centre.
The Female Football Week Awards recognise community members in five categories who have made a significant impact in female football over the past year.
- Player of the Year – GEORGIA AIESI (Mandurah City FC)
- Coach of the Year – CASSANDRA PAXMAN (Albany Rovers FC)
- Referee of the Year – GEORGIA WHITELAW (Great Southern SA & Albany JSA)
- Volunteer of the Year – KAREN HARRIS (Carramar Shamrock Rovers FC)
- Community Champion of the Year – MELISSA SPILLMAN (Football Futures Foundation)
Football West Female Football & Advocacy Manager Sarah Carroll said: “Congratulations to our five winners who will all now go on the shortlist for Football Australia’s national Female Football Week Awards.
“It’s important to recognise people’s contributions to our sport. Each of our five winners was well-deserving and they all play a valuable role in grassroots female football. I also want to thank everybody who took the time to nominate all of our candidates.”
Football West Director Nadia Van Dommelen and CEO Jamie Harnwell spoke at the breakfast, while there were two panel Q&As.
The first panel was made up of 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.
The second consisted of Subiaco AFC New Balance NPL WA Women’s head coach Christine Coppin; NPL WA Women’s referee Jess Byrd; and SEDA student Alicia Johnson.
“The panelists were fantastic and shared valuable insights across their areas of expertise,” Ms Carroll said.
“I want to give a special word of praise to Alicia Johnson, the SEDA student who spoke about her mum being her role model. Public speaking can be challenging, particularly for someone so young, and she was incredibly well spoken".
“Hopefully, we were able to show how many people are out there advocating for female football, such as Women Onside, which campaigns for gender equality in football across Australia, and Gaining Ground WA, a not-for-profit group that creates opportunities for women and girls to realise their full potential.
“Now it’s about keeping the conversations happening and continuing to build relationships and utilising each other’s strengths.”
Football West would like to acknowledge the support of the WA Government and thank everyone who attended, including Department of Creative Industries, Tourism & Sport’s Marcelyn Nicolaou; True Sport Project Officer Bree Wagner (representing SportWest Sport Manager Jasmine Cappellucci); Hyundai Australia Regional General Manager Michael Beros; Belgravia Apparel Business Development Manager Glen Metherell; and Matildas Alumni Maria Hulls. We also acknowledge our new Women's League naming rights sponsor, Construction Training Fund.
ABOUT OUR AWARD WINNERS
Player of the Year
Georgia Aiesi is both an outstanding player and a leader whose impact is felt on and off the field. Through her coaching, mentoring and tireless support of her club Mandurah City FC, she continues to create positive pathways for young women.
Coach of the Year
Cassandra Paxman is an inspiring leader whose passion and commitment have had a lasting impact on female football within her community. As a coach, mentor and volunteer at Albany Rovers FC, she leads teams to success, delivers inclusive programs and creates welcoming pathways for women and girls.
Volunteer of the Year
Karen Harris is a driving force behind the growth of female football at Carramar Shamrock Rovers FC, where girls and women make up 30% of players. Karen’s commitment and passion have been instrumental in initiatives such as the club’s Game Changer accreditation, female kit development and inclusive programs for players and coaches.
Community Champion of the Year
Melissa Spillman is key to the success of Football Futures Foundation’s Dreamtime Spirit program, creating culturally safe and empowering opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and girls. She has built strong community connections and pathways, with the majority of participants now engaged in club football.
Referee of the Year
Georgia Whitelaw is an outstanding referee. Just 17 years old, she officiates up to six matches a week across junior and senior competitions. Recognised for her composure and decision-making, she was named Referee of the Tournament at Senior Country Week.