Servet Uzunlar joins the Football NSW Team

Servet Uzunlar, former Westfield Matildas and W-League star, has been appointed in the new position of Women’s & Girls Development Officer at Football NSW.
Uzunlar will look towards assisting local Associations and grassroots football clubs to increase women’s and girl’s participation as players, coaches and referees, their accessibility to the game and raise standards in Grassroots clubs for women’s football.
“I am really looking forward to getting involved in this role.
“Right now women’s football is at the top of its game, having qualified for the Rio Olympics and holding our highest world ranking to date.
 “I think this role is really important to the women’s game.
“Not only does it encourage more girls to sign up and play but it also aims to ensure that females all over the state have access to the game at a grassroots level.
 “Football has given me so much and this is a fantastic opportunity for me to give back to the game at a time where we are proving to the world just how talented our female footballers are.” 
Football NSW’s Head of Women’s and Schools Football Hayley Todd was delighted with Uzunlar’s appointment as the Matildas star is set to bring a wealth of football experience to the department.
“With women’s football participation in NSW increasing, the Matildas hitting a record high fifth in the FIFA World Rankings and the 2016 Winter Football season kicking off, it is an exciting time to have Servet join the team.
“She has a wealth of football experience on the field and is ready to dedicate time to assist grassroots football clubs with female football initiatives aimed at driving participation and improving female football experiences at all levels of the game.
“Servet is going to be an asset to the department and I welcome her to the team.”
Joining the Women’s & Schools Football Department, Uzunlar has had a decorated career that has seen her win 49 caps for the Matildas having represented the Green and Gold at two FIFA Women’s World Cups as well as being part of the Championship winning AFC Asian Cup squad in 2010.
Topping that 2010 season, Uzunlar also took out the inaugural PFA Footballer of the Year award as selected by her fellow peers.
At club level, Uzunlar has played her domestic football with Sydney FC from the team’s inception until 2010 until she joined rivals Western Sydney Wanderers before returning back to the Sky Blues during the 2014 Westfield W-League season.
The former Australian International has also tasted club football success overseas having played for the likes of the Ottawa Fury, Chungbuk Sports Toto, Pali Blues and Fortuna Hjorring where she participated in the 2010 UEFA Women’s Champions League.