Wow, what an event! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for the screening of Trailblazers during the Perth International Football Cup. We are incredibly grateful to Documentary Australia, Tourism WA, and TEG for their generous support in making this powerful afternoon possible. Your commitment to advancing women in football is vital, and we couldn’t have done it without you.
The screening of Trailblazers, the Stan Original documentary, was not just a film but a call to action. The documentary, directed by Maggie Miles and Maggie Eudes, and produced by Lucy Maclaren, tells the story of Australia’s female footballers and their long-standing fight for equality. It was a moving reminder of how far women in football have come and a clear indicator of how much more work there is to be done. This film is part of an impact campaign, supported by MECCA M-POWER and driven by Documentary Australia, aimed at propelling further progress in gender equality and increasing opportunities for women and girls in sport.
The afternoon didn’t end with the film. We hosted a thought-provoking panel discussion on gender equality in football, led by the brilliant Monica Beazley as MC. The panel featured voices of women driving real change such as Kerry Harris from Women Onside, who shared valuable insights into how advocacy, professional development, and engaged networks can play a transformative role in enhancing women’s leadership in football. Bridie Watson from The Female Football Project emphasised the critical gaps in funding and resources for female players and coaching staff in Western Australia, highlighting the pressing need for increased support and recognition. Karen Hennessy from Women in Sport WA discussed her organisation's dedication to raising the visibility and participation of women in sport throughout WA, ensuring that women have equal opportunities and recognition across all sporting arenas. Finally, Marly Batenburg from Gaining Ground offered a unique perspective on the importance of mental wellbeing in women’s football, focusing on empowering women and girls to lead confidently both on and off the field.
The discussion underscored the importance of collective action in continuing to push for equality in football, with each speaker bringing unique insights into how we can further support women and girls in the game. It was an inspiring and energising conversation that left all attendees with a renewed sense of purpose.
We acknowledged the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Australian Women’s Soccer Association (AWSA) and the first national women’s football championships and we took the opportunity to honour a group of former Matildas and state team players.
Photo: Penny Tanner, Sara King, Mandy Laing, Sandra Szopski, Tracey Wheeler, Maria Hulls, Kerry Harris, and Jackie Anderson (nee Wheeler).
These trailblazers have paved the way for the generations of female players we celebrate today. This event served as both a reflection on the past and a rallying call for the future. We’ve made incredible strides, but there is still much work to be done to ensure gender equality in all aspects of football.
A special thanks again to everyone who attended, supported, and contributed to this event. We look forward to continuing this important conversation and working together to blaze new trails for women in football.
Let’s keep the momentum going!
Watch Trailblazers, now streaming on Stan: http://stan.com.au/watch/trailblazers-2024
Photographer and Videographer: Dylan Young https://www.instagram.com/dkycaptures/