How this Women in Football Panel is changing conversations in Canberra

Posted on 8 July, 2026

From fighting for acceptance to selling out stadiums, women’s football has undergone significant change in the last 50 years.

The history of women’s football in Australia is filled with amazing stories – from the first public match in Brisbane in the 1921 to the Matildas reaching the semi-finals of an Olympic Games in 2021.

But as more young girls look to the likes of Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler as role models, an important question lurks underneath the headlines: what comes next in the industry? And more importantly, what role can communities like Canberra play in making sure women’s football continues to thrive?

That’s what the ANU Women’s Football Club (ANUWFC) is tackling during their Women in Football Panel on Wednesday 29 July.

“As the longest standalone women’s club in Australia, ANUWFC has a lot to be proud of. In the early years, members of the club, like me and Andrea Hotchkiss, were leaders of the sport at grassroots and ACT levels,” explains Heather Reid AM.

“The ever-increasing acceptance, growth and visibility of women’s football – and women in football – are things that need to be celebrated and shared widely. However, while we have a common passion for the game, there’s much more work to be done to ensure fairer opportunities for all, including by battling gender-based biases, racism, sexism, homophobia and abuse in the sport.”

Gathering key pioneers who helped shape women’s football in Canberra, the panel will allow attendees to hear firsthand stories from the women who built the foundations of the game.

Along with Heather (a women’s football pioneer and co-founder of ANUWFC), other panel members will include co-founder and inaugural President of South Canberra Football Club Kat Yuile, and Andrea Hotchkiss – the founder of the ACT Women’s Soccer Association and Life Member of Capital Football.

Reflecting on how women’s football has changed over the last five decades, as well as offering insights into the challenges and opportunities that will shape the next generation, the event is designed to be informative, conversational and fun.

“It doesn’t matter if you’ve never watched or played football. You don’t need to know about on-field football tactics, team positions or responsibilities of each player, but the generic concepts can be useful when it comes to being an effective and persistent leader and change-agent,” says Heather.

“By having the panel members share their stories and different perspectives, as well as having attendees contribute to thoughtful conversations, it’s expected that attendees will be inspired to get involved in their club or organisation and help make a difference.”

Since 1978, ANUWFC’s mission has been to provide a safe, supportive, friendly and all-inclusive environment for players to develop and hone their football skills, enabling them to thrive on and off the field. Heather says that they wanted this message to be highlighted as part of the panel.

And while it’s no secret that suitable and safe facilities are the biggest logistical hurdle for women’s football, culturally, there’s still a lot of work to be done.

“Especially in leadership. And part of that is breaking down systemic issues that shape the experiences of women and girls and how their contributions matter to the sport,” says Heather.

With tickets priced at $35 for the public and $25 for both ANUWFC members and South Canberra FC members, the Women in Football Panel offers a unique chance to connect to both the history and the future of the game.

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make when it comes to being a champion of change in the football community,” says Heather.

“As Jane Goodall said: ‘Legacy isn’t about the years lived; it’s about impact.’”