Play Our Way Grant boosts Football Australia’s Female Referee Program

Football Australia has been awarded significant funding to support the recruitment and retention of female referees, thanks to the Australian Government’s AUD200 million Play Our Way program.

The investment will underpin new nationwide initiatives designed to tackle challenges that have long contributed to high attrition rates among women and girls in officiating.

The new program is structured around four pillars:

• Psychological Safety Survey – capturing lived experiences and barriers facing referees nationwide, with a focus on female officials.
• Education and Upskilling – delivering leadership and learning workshops across Member Federations.
• Mentoring Program – creating a structured, female-led framework to guide referees through their career journeys, supported by the Australian Sports Commission.
• Ambassador Program – raising visibility by showcasing elite female officials to inspire the next generation.

Sharing how the funding will help dismantle structural obstacles, Football Australia’s General Manager of Women’s Football, Carlee Millikin, said: “This grant allows us to address the key barriers that prevent women and girls from staying in the game as referees.”

“By focusing on safety, support, and visibility, we’re laying the groundwork for a stronger, more equitable future in officiating. It’s not just about retention – it’s about building a culture where women thrive,” Millikin said.

Echoing the importance of the inclusion, Football Australia’s Head of Referees, Jon Moss, added: “Our referee community is stronger when it reflects the diversity of our game.”

“This funding will allow us to enhance support for our female match officials – especially at the grassroots level – ensuring they feel safe, valued, and empowered to grow in their roles,” Moss mentioned.

The Play Our Way program, launched by the Federal Government, is a cornerstone initiative to ensure women and girls can participate in sport safely, fairly, and on their own terms.

For Football Australia, it builds on ongoing gender equity efforts such as the Club Changer program, which promotes cultural change across community football.

By combining education, mentoring, and greater visibility, Football Australia hopes to foster a culture of respect and opportunity that not only retains women referees but also inspires the next generation of leaders in officiating.

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