Where the Game Grows Stronger: Female Football Week 2025

Female Football Week 2025 has come and gone - but its message is only getting louder. Held from 2-11 May, the recent 10 days have spotlighted the incredible momentum behind women’s football in clubs and communities around the country, not to mention the people making it happen.

As Heather Garriock, Interim CEO of Football Australia, put it:

“This week has shown us that when we invest in women’s football, we invest in the future of Australian football. The momentum is real, and we’re determined to build on it.”

Over the past 11 years of celebrations, this week has become more than a calendar moment. It’s a movement. And this year, it felt bigger, brighter and bolder.

On a community level, the heartbeat of Female Football Week was strong. Carlee Millikin, Football Australia’s General Manager of Women’s Football, praised the passionate efforts of clubs and Member Federations nationwide, stating:

“We’ve seen community spirit, innovation, and an unshakable belief in the power of football to unite and inspire.”

And that belief is being matched with real growth. Around 160,000 women and girls now play football in Australia, with many more stepping onto the pitch in the wake of the Matildas’ FIFA Women’s World Cup run. Supported by major funding programs like Our Game, Legacy ’23 and Play Our Way, this growth is no accident - it’s the result of long-term commitment, investment and hard work.

And this hard work is finally being seen! Did you know that football in Australia is now the most inclusive, diverse and representative sport in the country? With over 1.9 million participants nationwide across 2,400+ community clubs, females currently represent 26% of players, born in over 150 different nations.

As the curtain closes on Female Football Week 2025, there’s a powerful sense of something bigger unfolding – not just for women’s football, but for the game as a whole.

From the roar of the Ninja A-League Women’s Semi Finals to the quiet pride of a young girl pulling on boots for the first time at a local “come and try” day, Female Football Week 2025 has reminded us of what makes this game so special: it belongs to everyone.

At Kicks for Kids Foundation, we know that the strength of football lies in its ability to include, uplift, and inspire. That’s why a key focus of our work is creating more pathways for girls to get involved in sport – not just to play, but to build confidence, community, and leadership through it. When girls are supported to participate, they don’t just benefit individually – they help build a stronger, more dynamic game for everyone.

Sources:

Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. (2025). Celebrate Female Football Week. Retrieved from: https://www.health.gov.au/news/celebrate-female-football-weekHealth and Aged Care Australia

Football Australia. (2025). Female Football Week 2025 wraps up with record celebration of women’s football across Australia. Retrieved from: https://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news/female-football-week-2025-wraps-record-celebration-womens-football-across-australia

Football Australia. (2025). Legacy '23 Overview. Retrieved from: https://www.footballaustralia.com.au/legacy23-overview