Flexible Football Initiatives Driving Growth in the Women’s Game Across NSW
Football NSW is continuing to grow the women’s game through its Flexible Football Initiatives, designed to make football more accessible, inclusive, and engaging for women and girls across the state. With social and summer football gaining popularity, many women are seeking shorter, less formal formats than the traditional 90-minute match. Currently, women make up 33% of summer football participants, compared to 26% in outdoor winter football. Flexible Football Initiatives aim to make the game more appealing year-round by offering casual tournaments and shorter competitions that fit around busy schedules.
Flexible Football is a key pillar of the NSW Football Legacy Program, funded by the NSW Office of Sport. The program focuses on leadership, education, and inclusion, with the aim of attracting, developing, and retaining women in football.
First piloted in 2025, Football NSW partnered with Football Canterbury, Northern Suburbs Football Association, Macarthur Football Association, and Hills Football, all of whom achieved excellent results delivering flexible football programs. Building on this success, six additional associations have joined the initiative in 2026, creating even more opportunities for women and girls to engage with the game in ways that suit their lifestyles.
Emma Griffin, Football NSW Female Football Coordinator, said:
“Flexible Football gives women more ways to get involved, whether through shorter games or casual competitions. It’s about making football easier to access and helping more women enjoy playing.”
As participation pathways continue to evolve, Flexible Football Initiatives are an important step in keeping football inclusive, accessible, and aligned with the needs of today’s players.
