Canberra’s oldest women’s-only football club needs your help
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Canberra’s oldest and largest women’s-only football club is calling on the local community to help them continue their work supporting and uplifting women in sport.
Preparing to kick off their 48th season, the ANU Women’s Football Club (ANUWFC) is facing a challenge many community sporting clubs are experiencing: a shortage of volunteer coaches.
The club is seeking people to help keep the team (and its spirit) alive by stepping into coaching positions – particularly across its lower division teams. The volunteer roles will help to create safe, supportive teams where players feel encouraged, capable and seen.
Looking for people who bring empathy, enthusiasm and a love of women’s sport, ANUWFC Communications Coordinator Clare Butterfield says that without this support, the club’s future looks uncertain, and they worry they’ll no longer be able to help the community connect, grow, and thrive through sport.
“ANUWFC is one of Canberra’s most inclusive and community-driven football clubs, welcoming women – cis and trans – and non-binary adults of all backgrounds and experience levels,” says Clare.
“For many players, the lower divisions are where football becomes a weekly ritual. It’s a place to move their bodies, find their people, and connect with the joy of the game.”
Founded in 1978, ANUWFC was created by ANU staff who wanted a space for women to play football on their own terms. Now, nearly five decades later, the club has a vision of leading female football in the ACT and helping players thrive on and off the field.
As women’s grassroots sport and interest in women’s football continues to grow (particularly since the 2023 Women’s World Cup), Clare says that ANUWFC is trying – and struggling – to support their players.
“We aim to field two teams in every Capital League division, which means we need 12 coaches each season,” explains Clare.
“As a university club, many players and coaches are transient, and without juniors or men’s teams, our pool of volunteers is smaller, so we’re always looking for passionate people to step up.”
The ANUWFC has been doing everything that they can to ensure players don’t miss out, reducing training sessions or asking players to co-coach. But Clare admits that it does put extra strain on existing coaches who often take on more than one team.
“Women’s grassroots sport has come a long way, but it still needs time, investment, and visibility to catch up with men’s programs. We’re building momentum, but the gap remains, and volunteers are the backbone of that progress,” she says.
“Grassroots clubs like ANUWFC rely on people willing to show up and lead with care.”
Formal experience is welcome (but not essential) – coaches will lead training sessions, manage game days, and mentor players. Training takes place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and games are played on Sundays.
Clare says that whatever your background, if you volunteer with ANUWFC, you will have the support and resources you need to thrive as a coach.
“You might be a former player looking to give back, someone who’s always loved the game from the sidelines, or a natural leader keen to support players to feel confident on and off the pitch.”
“At a time when women’s sport continues to grow in visibility and impact, grassroots clubs like ANUWFC rely on people willing to show up and lead with care. Coaching could be your chance to be part of that movement and make a tangible difference in your local community while you’re at it.”
To find out more or express interest, connect with ANUWFC via anuwfc@gmail.com
