Hayley Todd awarded Trailblazer Award

Football NSW Head of Women’s and Schools Football Hayley Todd was honoured with the Trailblazer Award at the 2022-2023 NSW Office of Sport Her Sport Her Way ceremony held at the Bondi Pavilion Theatre on Monday.

The Trailblazer Award recognises up to three women whose exceptional efforts over the long-term have removed barriers for women and girls in sport and made it easier for them to participate and succeed, something Hayley has continued to do so for many years.

At a time when international football pathways for women were almost non-existent, Hayley was one of the players who paved the way for Australian women footballers to explore careers overseas.

After a major injury, she turned to administration at Football NSW in 2006.

Here, she was central to the introduction of Female Football Week, a celebratory initiative which has now been adopted across the country.

In 2016, this Trailblazer became the first woman in the role of Head of Women’s Football and Schools and was responsible for driving the strategic direction of the female game.

She also took on an important mentor role for young women players, volunteers, coaches, and administrators. Under her stewardship, female participation in football has increased to over 26% of participants.

Hayley has been central to negotiations with stakeholders for the $10 million NSW Football Legacy Program, ensuring the funding can produce maximum benefits to the entire community.

She is a Board member of the Macarthur Football Association Board and led the development and implementation of the Football for Women and Girls in Macarthur Strategic Plan, which was launched in 2022.

Her legacy is demonstrated through her leadership as a player, and the results of her strategic direction at state and community level.

Her decades worth of commitment to female football and mentorship has helped build a cohort of future female leaders across the wider community who will drive the sport forward over coming generations.

“Football NSW would like to congratulate Hayley on receiving this memorable achievement and recognition in her role promoting female football which she has done so for the past 17 years,” said Football NSW CEO John Tsatsimas.

“Football NSW and the whole football community are very fortunate that we have Hayley leading the way for female football in our state.

“Congratulations Hayley on a well deserved accolade.”

Football NSW also scooped another award taking out the ‘Outstanding Organisation Award’.