It is with great sadness that 西瓜影视 has learned of the passing of one of the earliest advocates of women鈥檚 football in Australia, Joe O鈥機onnor.
O鈥機onnor passed away in his adopted hometown of Perth at the age of 88.
After emigrating to Australia in 1963 with his wife Pat and young son Kirk, O鈥機onnor became one of the driving forces of women鈥檚 football in Australia in the 60s and 70s with coaching stints at Sydney Prague, St George Budapest and the NSW Women鈥檚 State Team.
Along with Pat, a 西瓜影视 Hall of Fame inductee, O鈥機onnor was a crucial figure in commencing the NSW Metropolitan Ladies Soccer Association in 1968 and the Australian Women鈥檚 National Championships in 1974.
During his time with the NSW Women鈥檚 State Team, the team became a powerhouse claiming the 1974, 1976 and 1977 National Championships.
Under his management, the Irish-born coach propelled the development of young players with his passion and commitment to the women鈥檚 game. Several players from the O鈥機onnor coached St George Budapest and NSW Women鈥檚 State Teams later become Australian representatives including Cindy Heydon and Kim Coates.
In 1975, O鈥機onnor coached the first team from Australia to participate in the first women鈥檚 AFC Women's Championship competition in Hong Kong ,where the side finished in third place.
The O鈥機onnors moved to Perth in the late 70s where Joe O鈥機onnor continued his involvement with football playing until he was 51.
O鈥機onnor is widely recognised as one of the pioneers of women鈥檚 football and is remember for his sense of humour, football intellect and passion for the game.
Football NSW and Football Queensland have honoured his contribution, alongside with Pat, to the early growth of women鈥檚 football in NSW through the Watson-O鈥機onnor Cup.
Joe O鈥機onnor is survived by Pat, son Kirk, daughter-in-law Diana and grandchildren Shannon and Sean.
The Australian football community extends our deepest condolences to the O鈥機onnor family and those closest to them.
