Adelaide United together with Football Federation South Australia (FFSA) were proud to hold the Women in Football Breakfast at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Thursday morning, as part of celebrating Female Football Week.
- VIEW GALLERY: Women in Football Breakfast
The event, hosted by Network 10’s Kate Freebairn, served to highlight the women’s game ahead of the Women’s National Premier League (WNPL) Round 1 on Friday night.
Several politicians were in attendance including the Honourable Corey Wingard MP, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, who addressed the 250 guests.
.@Corey_Wingard says he wants there to be a better pathway for growing participation in women's football and women's sport and in the long run to get to that elite level. #FemaleFootballWeek #WomenInFootball
— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) March 6, 2019
He talked about the growth in participation numbers in women’s sport, while suggesting the need for improved pathways to assist athletes in reaching the elite level.
FFSA Chief Executive Officer, Michael Carter, also spoke to those present and believed 2019 would be an exciting year for women’s football, coinciding with the impending Women’s FIFA World Cup in June.
Carter says the women's game is alive and well and going from strength to strength, and it would be amazing if SA players like @chidiac10, @emilycondon08 and @emilycondon08 were to be selected in the @TheMatildas squad for this year's FIFA World Cup.
— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) March 6, 2019
After the opening formalities concluded, a panel of guests discussed a range of topics concerning women’s football and more broadly women’s sport, in addition to women in leadership roles.
Adelaide United’s Westfield W-League Head Coach, Ivan Karlović, Flight Centre Sales Operations Leader, Kelly Spencer, Global Recruitment Consultant for Sportspeople, Leanne Grantham and FFSA Women’s NTC captain, Zoe Tolland were all on the panel.
Karlović stated that continued hard work, support from corporate partners and increasing the professionalism of the Westfield W-League will only improve the product.
.@i_karlovic hopes to see the @WLeague grow over the next five years and there's an environment players for young players to flourish & more work still needs to be done at the grassroots level. He said raising the level of professionalism is key. #WomenInFootball
— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) March 6, 2019
Meanwhile, Grantham was a great proponent of Westfield W-League and Matildas players using their profiles to help market the sport which will also impact aspiring footballers. She further underlined the challenges of working in sport and the difficulties she encountered as a leader.
Grantham says learning to say no is something she had to reflect on as a leader, and that people entering the sports industry must be aware of the challenges but says there are a number of benefits working in sport. #FemaleFootballWeek #WomenInFootball
— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) March 6, 2019
From a leadership perspective, Spencer hoped to see more women have the opportunity to hold positions of authority as they are generally articulate and good communicators.
Keynote speaker and former Matildas vice-captain and ex-FIFA Executive Committee member, Moya Dodd, was also present and gave an inspiring speech to conclude the event.
Keynote Speaker and AFC Executive Committee Member @moyadodd says diversity is the future of sport, including gender diversity, in closing the gap. #FemaleFootballWeek #WomenInFootball
— Adelaide United (@AdelaideUnited) March 6, 2019
Dodd highlighted the importance of gender diversity in closing the gap between women and men’s sport, as well as the challenges women have faced in their fight for equality in the game.
Great to be in #Adelaide for @FootballSouthAu @AdelaideUnited #WomeninFootball breakfast, hearing from terrific panel! Look forward to giving the keynote shortly #FemaleFootballWeek pic.twitter.com/VHSMbexLCy
— moya dodd (@moyadodd) March 6, 2019
A wonderful event! Well done @AdelaideUnited and @FootballSouthAu. @moyadodd your inspiring and captivating speech resonates with the women at @MetroUnitedWFC. I look forward to the day 48 000 fans are at a Adelaide W League game. @rinaldi_dora @_stellb
— Marie Spagnoletti (@mariespag) March 6, 2019
What a great way to celebrate International Women’s Day with @FootballSouthAu @AdelaideUnited Women in Football Breakfast with inspiring keynote speaker @moyadodd.
“Diversity is the future for sport and we need to close the gap” #WomenInFootball pic.twitter.com/L5cjjHBjXW— Francis Wong, OAM (@franciswong5000) March 6, 2019
You could hear a pin drop during the keynote speech of @moyadodd this morning 👏👏
Well done @FootballSouthAu & @AdelaideUnited ⚽️#getonside #WomenInFootball pic.twitter.com/zO3iEaI1gN
— Ben Rillo (@ben_rillo) March 7, 2019
