This week is Female Football Week – a nationwide initiative aimed at celebrating the growth of women’s football at all levels. It also acknowledges the important role women play in developing football.
The 2024 National Participation Report has shown a big jump in women and girls playing football. Inspired by the excitement of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 (FIFA WWC 2023) and the Matildas' success, over 21,000 more women and girls now play football. This means there are now over 158,000 women and girls playing football in Australia.
As the largest women’s sporting event in the world, the FIFA WWC 2023 presented a vehicle to:
- increase gender equity
- promote inclusion
- promote a healthy lifestyle.
Legacy
As part of the FIFA WWC 2023 the Australian Government invested almost $35 million in legacy funding to support the growth of football in Australia, particularly for women and girls.
This included:
- contributions to high performance and talent pathway initiatives
- a Club Development Program
- other participation initiatives to ensure a positive legacy from the event.
The Beyond the Trophy report highlights these initiatives and further benefits that have come from Australia co-hosting the FIFA WWC 2023.
Play Our Way
Following the success of the Matildas at the FIFA WWC 2023, the Australian Government announced the $200 million Play Our Way grant program.
The program is playing a big role in supporting grassroots sports initiatives. Funding for facilities, participation and equipment is creating more opportunities for women and girls to engage in football and other sports.
AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026
Australia has been awarded the hosting rights for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, continuing to boost women’s sport.
It will bring Asia's best footballers to Australia and give us another chance to celebrate the Matildas on home soil.
Through hosting international sporting events we can provide visible inspiration for young women and girls to be involved in physical activity and the sports sector.