Australian football is set to celebrate the pioneers and key figures of the women鈥檚 game on the anniversary of the first recorded public match in 1921.
Kitted up in long socks, long-sleeved football jerseys, baggy shorts, and purpose worn football shoes, the Reds of North Brisbane took on the Blues of South Brisbane at the Gabba on 24 September 1921.
On the sideline 10,000 people watched on as the Reds marched to a 2-0 victory. Read more about the match
This wasn鈥檛 the first women鈥檚 football match as records show reports of women鈥檚 teams being formed in New South Wales as early as 1903 and women playing during the first World War I.
What was different about the 1921 match was the public nature of it. For the first time supporters were on hand to watch an association football match between two women's teams.
From that small spark 100 years ago, women鈥檚 football in Australia has grown into a much loved, well participated and highly supported game.
Women鈥檚 football has a rich history in Australia, and it is one full of inspirational women and male advocates who have championed and pushed the game in each of the States.
It is filled with stories of players and coaches, referees and administrators who have pushed the boundaries and set the foundations for the game today.
Across the nation, the women and girls鈥 participation base remain one the highest in the country with 156,893 registered participants according to the 2019 National Participation Report.
The are now household names with the players empowering the next generation to reach for their dreams.
It is a long way from that first public match!
September 24 will mark a day of celebration across all the Member Federations as they share stories and profile key figures in the early days of women鈥檚 football.
At the Gabba, will hold a re-enactment of that very first public match, as well as a lunch with special guests from the past, present and future of the game.
In , all eight teams participating in the Football SA National Premier Leagues Women鈥檚 competition will play on the night wearing specially made heritage jerseys.
Meanwhile Women Onside has hosted a conference with keynote speakers including Moya Dodd, Jane Fernandez and Tokyo 2020 gold medal winning coach, Bev Priestman.
As the footprint of the women鈥檚 game continues to grow, there are more opportunities than ever before for women and girls to be involved in football.
With less than two years until the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023鈩, women鈥檚 football is poised to continue prospering into the century.
