FFA Chairman Chris Nikou has expressed his support for a newly-launched, independent association, promoting and supporting women’s involvement in the game.

Launched in Sydney midweek by the NSW Minister for Sport, John Sidoti, the Women in Football Association aims to support women wanting to be involved at any level (professional and voluntary) in the game. Modelled on a similar group in the UK, the not-for-profit organisation will be independent of the Football Federation of Australia, and Member Federations.

President of the newly-formed association, Ms Bonita Mersiades, said the establishment of the new national association was overdue.

“Considering just how many women are involved in football at all levels, a national association with a focus on networking, collaboration and professional development, from grassroots up, is long overdue,” she said.

“An important part of Women in Football will be ‘Trixie’s List’, a database of women who may be available and could be considered for management, coaching and other positions within the football industry.

“There have been improvements in gender equality in football over the last few years, but we have a long way to go, and Women in Football has been established to further promote and grow the sport we all love.”

Mersiades is part of an eight-member inaugural committee for the association. The committee consists of the following members:
*     George Donikian, broadcaster and journalist
*     Carole Fabian of Melbourne and long-standing secretary of Brunswick Zebras
*     Associate Professor Jorge Knijnik, a gender and culture expert from Western Sydney University
*     Bonita Mersiades, international football reform advocate, writer (and publisher of Football Today)
*     Vicki Morton, president of South Hobart FC
*     Lesley Podesta, CEO of Alannah and Madeline Foundation
*     Elia Santoro, director of Heartbeat of Football
*     Alen Stajcic, head coach of Central Coast Mariners.

“There have been improvements in gender equality in football over the last few years, but we have a long way to go, and Women in Football has been established to further promote and grow the sport we all love.”

The FFA has its own department (Women’s Council) which also aims to promote and support the involvement and cause of women in football. However, Mr Nikou supports the new Women in Football Association.

“From my perspective, anything that encourages and supports more women to get involved in our game, the better,” he said.

“I know from a grassroots perspective that so many women form the backbone of volunteer effort, but we have yet to see that translate into women in representative numbers in management and administration.

“An initiative such as ‘Trixie’s List’ to help football federations and clubs find suitably-qualified women for roles is welcome and practical, as is the idea of providing professional development and networking opportunities for women in football.”

Membership of Women in Football is open to women and men at the cost of $25 annually. To join the association, sign up at womeninfootball.org.au.

We want the sport to be a leader in gender issues, not dragging behind. #WomeninFootball #WhatIf https://t.co/4jHve7rV26 pic.twitter.com/LUslAJOmUE

— Women in Football (@FootballWomenOz) June 26, 2019