NATIONAL FEMALE FOOTBALL WEEK AWARDS

As part of the celebrations, Football Australia are pleased to announce that there will again be the Female Football Week Awards. There are five awards up for grabs, with nominations now open!
 
Football Australia along with its 9 Member Federations invites affiliated Individuals, Clubs, Associations and Member Zones to nominate candidates for selection.  
 
The five award categories are:
 
  • FFW Player of the Year
  • FFW Coach of the Year
  • FFW Referee of the Year
  • FFW Volunteer of the Year
  • FFW Community Champion of the Year (any gender)

AWARD ELIGIBILITY

  • Females that have exhibited significant behaviours of highly engaged motivated and respected members of the affiliated community football club.
  • Females that are not only passionate about one of the categories (coaching, refereeing, playing and administration/volunteering), but also look to be a leader in this space, encouraging and inspiring those around them.
  • Females that support the underrepresented, displayed through their dedication of time, skill and commitment to achieving within this space.
  • Females that have displayed efforts of leadership or mentoring to other members of the community football club within the realm of coaching/refereeing/playing and volunteering.
  • Nominations made for the Female Football Week Community Champion of the Year can be made for individuals that identity as any gender. They must also address the behavioural criteria outlined above.
     
    Nominations close 5pm Friday 24th April, 2026.

GET TO KNOW OUR 2025 NATIONAL WINNERS

Player of the Year - Emily Casella
 
Emily Casella’s story is a testament to what passion looks like when it’s lived every single day. After 20 years in the game, she has worn many jerseys, from representing Australia on the international stage to championing inclusion through the Big Issue Street Soccer Program. Her impact stretches far beyond the pitch, she inspires people from all walks of life to believe that football has a place for them too. Named the 2025 Female Football Week Community Champion of the Year, Penny represents the heartbeat of community football. She shows what it means to give selflessly, to lead with purpose, and to nurture environments where players, volunteers, and families feel they belong.
 
 
Referee of the Year - Deia Raxach
 
Deia Raxach embodies the spirit of dedication, composure, and quiet excellence that keeps our game moving forward. Celebrated as the 2025 Female Football Week Referee of the Year, she represents the countless referees whose impact is essential yet often unseen. Hailing from Queensland, Deia has earned admiration not just for her technical proficiency, but for the integrity, calm authority, and love for football she brings to every match. Her recognition is a reminder of the vital role referees play in shaping safe, fair, and inspiring football environments for players of all ages.
 
 
Community Champion of the Year
 
For more than 40 years, Penny Tanner Hoath has been one of the quiet powerhouses of Australian football, a community leader, a mentor, and a tireless advocate for the grassroots game. Her lifelong commitment to the Murdoch University Melville Football Club reflects a rare kind of devotion: the kind that shapes generations, strengthens clubs, and leaves a legacy far bigger than any single season. Named the 2025 Female Football Week Community Champion of the Year, Penny represents the heartbeat of community football. She shows what it means to give selflessly, to lead with purpose, and to nurture environments where players, volunteers, and families feel they belong.
 
 
Volunteer of the Year
 
Lauren Gibson is the kind of volunteer every football community dreams of, dependable, energetic, and wholeheartedly invested in creating a place where people feel they belong. Celebrated as the 2025 Female Football Week Volunteer of the Year, Lauren has become a cornerstone of the Penrith Football Club, known for showing up with enthusiasm, humility, and a willingness to do whatever the moment requires. Whether she’s organising, supporting, or simply lifting the spirits of those around her, Lauren brings a superstar attitude to grassroots football, not for recognition, but because she genuinely loves the game and the people in it.
 
 
Coach of the Year
 
Catherine Toro is the kind of coach who transforms a team from the inside out. Named the 2025 CommBank Coach of the Year, she’s celebrated not just for her football expertise, but for the way she nurtures confidence, character, and connection within the Green Gully Soccer Club. Her players describe her impact simply and powerfully: “She makes us grow, not only in soccer, but also as people.” Catherine leads with encouragement, empathy, and an unwavering belief in her players’ potential. Her coaching philosophy centres on creating an environment where every individual feels supported, valued, and capable of achieving more than they imagined.