MEDIA RELEASE  March 4, 2026  Women’s football advocacy group Women Onside have today published their annual report that tracks the number of female coaches in Australian professional football (soccer) and compliance with gender equality governance standards established in 2017.   The latest Women Onside Index and Coach Tracker found:  Just one A-League Women club has a female head coach;  Six of the 11 governing bodies in Australian football have met the 40/40/20 gender equa

MEDIA RELEASE   26 February 2026     On eve of Women’s Asian Cup, Women Onside launches Maria Berry AM coaching scholarship to honour football pioneer     Women Onside has today announced the establishment of a landmark new coaching scholarship, in honour of Australian football trailblazer the late Maria Berry AM, in partnership with Melbourne Victory and Football Coaches Australia.    Berry, who passed away last year, dedicated over four decades to football in Australia. She

At Women Onside, our mission is simple yet profound: to create a world where  women have equal opportunities and representation to thrive in football, everywhere . From players to coaches, referees to administrators, we are working towards a future where women are seen, heard, and supported in every aspect of the sport. We are thrilled to launch our  2024-2027 Strategic Plan , which isn’t just a roadmap for organisational success—it’s a commitment to shaping a more inclusive

As we gear up for the new A-Leagues Women (ALW) season, the latest Women Onside Coach Tracker provides insight into the progress (or lack thereof) for women in head coaching roles across ALW teams.   Unfortunately, the news is underwhelming. While we haven’t seen a decline from last season, our numbers are stagnantly low, with only two women, Kat Smith and Emily Husband, holding head coaching positions.   This raises three pressing questions: where do we stand compared to oth

Women Onside applauds the Federal Government's recent announcement of a Gender Equity Board Policy  for National Sporting Organisations  (NSOs). This landmark initiative, revealed by Minister for Sport Anika Wells, is a positive and necessary step towards greater representation and inclusion of women in sport at the governance level. It reflects a broader commitment to equality, ensuring Australia's sporting bodies are held accountable for achieving gender balance on their bo