Female coaches take centre stage at Foundations of Football course
Twenty-four aspiring female coaches have taken an important step in their coaching journeys after completing a female-only Foundations of Football course hosted by North West Sydney Football (NWSF) at Christie Park on Sunday, 8 November.
Proudly supported by Football NSW, Football Australia and the CommBank Growing Football Fund, the course provided participants with a positive and supportive learning environment, helping them develop their coaching knowledge and take their first steps towards formal accreditation.
The day was led by three female Coach Education Tutors representing three different Football Associations, providing participants with the opportunity to learn from experienced female role models and see the possibilities available along the coaching pathway.
Football NSW Head of Women’s & Schools Football Hayley Todd said the initiative demonstrated the value of targeted support in encouraging more women to pursue coaching opportunities.
“It was great to be able to support NWSF with scholarships for 24 female coaches to participate in this course. Four of the coaches received mentoring through the Football NSW Grassroots Mentoring Program during the 2026 football season, so to now have supported them in gaining their first formal accreditation is a credit to the Football NSW mentors.”
Football NSW Grassroots Coach Education Lead Paul Higgins highlighted the significance of having an all-female team of tutors deliver the course.
“It was incredibly rewarding to see three female Coach Education Tutors from different Football Associations come together to deliver this course. It reinforces the message that you can’t be what you can’t see and provides participants with visible role models on the coaching pathway.”
NWSF Coach Education Tutor Suzy Selvarajan also praised the atmosphere created throughout the day, describing the experience as an important opportunity for participants to learn, connect and develop in a welcoming environment.
“It was inspiring to deliver the Foundations of Football course to this group. The environment was energising, uplifting and supportive, allowing everyone to be their authentic selves while continuing to learn and develop as coaches. It was a connected, fun and wonderful safe space.”
The initiative forms part of the ongoing commitment of Football NSW and its affiliated associations to increase female representation in coaching and create more accessible development opportunities for women across the game.
Football NSW and North West Sydney Football thanked the CommBank Growing Football Fund for its ongoing commitment to supporting female coaches and creating opportunities for more women and girls to thrive in football.
