Women Onside's first annual general meeting was held in April, online with nearly 40 members present and new directors elected.
Maria Berry, Women Onside Chair, reported to members on the highly successful first eighteen months of operations since the formal incorporation of the organisation in November 2019. Highlights included:
reaching almost 100 fully paid up members;
establishing a network of over 800 participants;.
holding eight well-attended, high-quality webinars covering a wide range of interest areas with local and international guest speakers;
running a highly successful education series "Getting On Board" aimed at supporting women taking on higher roles on football boards;
advocating for women in football and women's football in the Football Australia XI Principles process;
undertaking research into women in coaching internationally and women on football boards in Australia.
In line with the organisation's constitution, three existing directors - Maria Berry, Lee McGowan and Fatima Flores - continued on for a second year of their initial terms. Cheryl Downes was re-elected for a new two year term. Bruce Djite, who was previously on the board filling a casual vacancy has now been elected in his own right.
Two founding directors have retired but both are continuing as active Women Onside contributors in network convenor roles - Julie Ryan as coaching convenor and Danielle Warby as media network convenor. Both Julie and Danielle made outstanding contributions to the foundation and operations of the organisation in its first eighteen months and are most appreciated and warmly thanked for their work.
To take their places on the board two new directors have been elected: Heather Reid, long time football administrator and Asma Mirzae a Canberra-based player and community activist.
Heather will be bring her deep knowledge of football to Women Onside. “As a longstanding advocate for position change and having helped establish Women Onside as a networking group and influencer of governance reform in Australian football, I’m delighted to now be an elected director on the board. I will work to inspire others to realise their potential in football and assist with the sharing of knowledge, networks and lived experiences.”
Asma has been involved in football since her arrival in Australia and will bring a special perspective to Women Onside's activities.. “I am excited to join the board of Women Onside to amplify the voices of young people on issues that matter the most and to ensure our football identity is one that everyone can identify with.”
Welcome on board Heather and Asma.
Again in line with the constitution the board held a subsequent meeting of directors and Maria Berry was re-elected as Chair of the organisation.
You can find more information about our directors here.
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