Women’s football has a new champion today with the announcement of Her Excellency the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC, as the Patron of Women’s Football.
Women-s football has a new champion today with the announcement of Her Excellency the Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC, as the Patron of Women-s Football.
“We are proud and honoured with this appointment,” said Football Federation Australia-s (FFA) Head of Women-s Football, Leeanne Grantham.
“Women-s football has been the fastest growing team sport for girls for more than five years and is enjoyed by more than 100,000 women and girls in registered competition.
“The Westfield W-League, which was introduced last year, gives talented, elite female players the opportunity to play in regular, high quality national competition.”
Grantham said that women-s football also offers structured international competition through the Asian Football Confederation from U-13 girls through to the Westfield Matildas.
“We believe that initiatives such as the Westfield W-League and the performance of the Westfield Matildas on the international stage play a significant role in encouraging other girls and women to play sport whether socially or as potential elite athletes,” said Grantham.
“The Governor-General-s agreement to be Patron of Women-s Football provides a further impetus to the growth of the sport.”
Grantham said that, compared with their male counterparts, women-s football does not receive the same level of support from fans, the media or from the corporate sector.
“Obviously, this is a long term objective for all of women-s sport.
“We hope that the Governor-General-s role as Patron will help encourage more young girls and women to play football and also give the Westfield W-League and our national teams even more credibility.”
The 2009 season of the Westfield W-League kicks-off on 3 October with the opening match a 2008 Grand Final replay between Brisbane Roar and Canberra United at Ballymore in Brisbane. Other matches include:
– 3 October : Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory, Etihad Stadium
– 5 October : Sydney FC v Central Coast Mariners, Sydney Football Stadium
– 5 October : Adelaide United v Newcastle Jets, Hindmarsh Stadium
