Female Football Week is an annual initiative aimed at elevating women and girls and their contribution to football across all aspects of the game. We take this opportunity to recognise some inspiring women in our football community, and tell their football story.
Top Row:
Dr Stella Veith: Physiotherapist, CommBank Junior Matildas
Stella Veith is a physiotherapist hailing from Germany who completed her Bachelor of Physiotherapy in the Netherlands before moving to Australia. She has worked with elite football clubs including the Illawarra Stingrays and Sydney FC and has served as the physiotherapist for the U17 Women’s National Team (CommBank Junior Matildas) for the past four years. Stella has recently completed her PhD focused on injury prevention in adolescent athletes. Passionate about football, she first became involved as a player and now channels that passion into supporting high-performance teams through expert care in training, recovery, and athlete monitoring.
3️⃣🎬 Episode Three: Talia takes on… Sport science with Stella Veith
Rachel Jones: Doctor, CommBank Junior Matildas
Rachel Jones is a former footballer who has combined her deep sporting experience with a career in medicine. Rachel is an experienced General Practitioner and sports doctor, currently working with the CommBank Junior Matildas as Team Doctor. She has also supported the Matildas’ family and friends at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Rachel’s dual passion for sport and health continues to shape her impactful work across football and sports medicine. On the pitch she played senior first-grade football with North West Sydney Koalas, Canberra Eclipse, and more recently returned to the pitch with Cooks River Titans in the Grace Martin Premier League. She was also part of the NSWIS Junior Elite Training Squad and captained Australia’s senior schools futsal team, representing her country in Portugal and Italy.
Mikayla Lyons: Sports Scientist, CommBank Junior Matildas
Mikayla Lyons is a sports scientist and educator based in Perth, Australia. She is the Sports Scientist for the U17 Women's National Team (CommBank Junior Matildas). Mikayla is also completing her PhD at The University of Notre Dame Australia, focusing on gender equity in soccer. Her work extends beyond football, having held roles in strength and conditioning coaching with the Fremantle Dockers in the AFLW, Fremantle City Football Club, South Fremantle Football Club amongst roles in gyms and the University of Notre Dame Australia. Mikayla got her start through an internship with Western Force and hasn’t looked back.
Louisa Bisby: Team Manager, CommBank Young Matildas
Louisa Bisby is a former Australian soccer player and the current Team Manager of the U20 Women’s National Team (CommBank Young Matildas). Born in England, she began her football journey with Aston Villa before moving to Australia at age 15, where she went on to represent both state and national teams. Her professional playing career includes stints in China’s Super League and Germany’s Bundesliga. Louisa holds a Bachelor of Business in Sport and Leisure Management, which complements her extensive experience in elite football. Previously working with Melbourne City FC in Player Welfare, Team Manager and Game Development roles, Louisa now brings her extensive experience in elite football to supporting Australia’s next generation of female players in a high-performance national team environment.
Kat Smith: FA Team of Coaches & A Leagues Coach, Western United
Kat Smith is the head coach of Western United’s Liberty A-League Women team. After a successful tenure with Western Sydney Wanderers, she returned to Melbourne in December 2023 to lead Western United, guiding them to a third-place finish in the 2023–24 season and their first-ever A-League Women finals appearance. Smith re-signed for the 2024–25 season, continuing to build on the club's vision for women's football in Melbourne's west. Her coaching philosophy emphasises resilience and adaptability, qualities she embodies in her day-to-day life. In addition to her club commitments, Smith was appointed as an assistant coach for the inaugural A-League Women’s All Stars squad in 2024, contributing to the historic exhibition match against Arsenal FC.
Janet Drakos: National Female Wellbeing Manager
Janet Drakos is the current National Female Wellbeing Manager for Football Australia, having held the role with Football Australia for 4 and a half years. Janet’s role focuses on supporting the wellbeing of all female national teams including the Senior Matildas, ParaMatildas, Junior Matildas and Young Matildas. In her role, she is dedicated to enhancing the wellbeing and development of female participants across Australian football and creating supportive environments that empower women and girls to thrive in the sport. Janet has a high-performance background as a former player for the Australian Diamonds (netball).
Middle Row:
Trudy Simmons: CommBank Young and Junior Matildas Goalkeeper Coach
Trudy Simmons is a former professional footballer who has been a part of some of the most successful Liberty A League teams in recent times. Simmons spent her time across Sydney FC, Western Sydney Wanderers, Canberra United and Melbourne City. Alongside her time in the A League Women’s, she has been a regular between the posts for several NSW NPL Women’s clubs and was a grand final winner with the Macarthur Rams and Illawarra Stingrays. Outside of her playing career Trudy has moved into working in football most notably within the Game Development and Legacy departments at Football NSW and for the Canterbury District Soccer Football Association as Female Development Officer. In 2023 she started within the National Teams at Football Australia as Goalkeeping Coach for both the CommBank Young Matildas and CommBank Junior Matildas.
Naomi Chinnama: Australian U-23 WNT Player
Naomi Chinnama is an emerging talent in Australian women’s football, currently playing for Perth Glory in the A-League Women. A dynamic and versatile midfielder, Naomi's skill, agility, and work ethic on the field have quickly made her one of the most exciting young players in the league. She began her football journey at a young age and developed her skills with Melbourne City, where she made a significant impact in the youth system before stepping into the senior team. Known for her ability to read the game and create opportunities, Naomi's performances earned her a spot with the CommBank Young Matildas, showcasing her potential on the international stage at the 2022 and 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. In 2024, Naomi signed with Perth Glory, continuing her progression in the A-League Women’s.
Steph Catley: CommBank Matildas Player
Steph Catley, CommBank Matildas cap number #177, is the vice-captain of the CommBank Matildas having 137 appearances and 7 goals for the Women’s National Team. Debuting at 18 in 2012, she has represented Australia in multiple major tournaments, including the 2015 FIFA World Cup, Rio 2016 Olympic Games, 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. A versatile defender, Steph currently plays for Arsenal FC after stints with Melbourne Victory, Portland Thorns, Orlando Pride, and Melbourne City. Known for her leadership and positional awareness, she captained Melbourne City to multiple championships and has been a consistent presence for the Matildas across the globe. Steph's journey began at just six years old, and her love for football has driven her to become one of Australia’s top players.
Helen Winterburn: Assistant Coach, CommBank Young & Junior Matildas
Helen Winterburn is a highly regarded football coach and assistant coach for the CommBank Young & Junior Matildas. With a strong background in coaching and player development, she has been instrumental in nurturing the next generation of Australian football talent. Helen’s coaching career spans both national and club levels, formally holding the role of assistant coach for Western United Women’s team in the A-League Women. Recognised for her leadership skills, Helen was selected for the prestigious AIS Gen32 Coach Program, an initiative designed to develop the next wave of elite Australian coaches. With a keen eye for tactical development and player growth, Helen is known for her ability to create a positive, performance-driven environment.
Bottom Row:
Casey Reibelt: Football Australia, AFC and FIFA Referee
Casey Reibelt is a distinguished Australian football referee, celebrated for her pioneering role in elevating women’s representation in elite officiating. Born in Brisbane, Casey embarked on her refereeing journey at the age of 15. By 2008, she was officiating in the W-League (now A-League Women), and in 2014, she achieved FIFA accreditation, marking the beginning of her international officiating career. Casey’s career is marked by significant milestones. She officiated at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France and was appointed to the officiating pool for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Notably, in December 2024, she led an all-female officiating team for an A-League Men’s match between Western Sydney Wanderers and Macarthur FC, a historic first in Australian football.
Courtney Krope: Analyst, Women's National Teams
Courtney Krope is an experienced sports analyst with a strong background in health science and sports performance. She holds a degree in Health Science and has built a professional career combining her academic knowledge with a deep passion for football. Currently, Courtney serves as the CommBank Matildas Assistant Analyst at Football Australia, a role she began in January 2025. She also works as the CommBank Junior Matildas Technical Analyst, having previously held positions as the CommBank Young Matildas Technical Analyst and Future Matildas Program Analyst from 2020 to 2024. Before her tenure at Football Australia, Courtney worked as a Rugby League Data Collection Agent with Stats Perform from 2019 to 2023. She also gained valuable experience as an Academy Performance Analysis Intern with Sydney FC in 2018.
Mary Fowler: CommBank Matildas Player
Mary Fowler, CommBank Matildas cap number 202, is a talented Australian forward, currently playing for Manchester City in the Women’s Super League. Debuting for the CommBank Matildas in 2018 at just 15 years old, Mary has since earned 63 caps and scored 16 goals. She has participated in major tournaments such as the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Fowler’s club career saw her sign her first overseas contract with Montpellier HSC, spending two seasons in France before signing a four-year contract with Manchester City in the Women’s Super League. Mary is a dynamic player known for her goal-scoring ability and has been a key figure in Australia’s forward line.
Alexia Apostolakis: CommBank Young Matildas Player
Alexia Apostolakis is an emerging Australian football defender currently playing for Melbourne City in the A-League Women’s. At just 18 years old, she has already made a significant impact in the domestic league, with 22 appearances and 2 goals in her first season with City. Apostolakis began her professional career with Western Sydney Wanderers, where she made 42 appearances over three seasons. Her performances earned her a call-up to the CommBank Young Matildas, representing Australia at both the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica and the 2024 AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup in Uzbekistan. In the latter tournament, she started every match, contributing to the team's bronze medal finish and qualification for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia. In April 2025, Apostolakis was called into the CommBank Matildas squad as a train-on player for friendly matches against South Korea, highlighting her rapid progression and potential at the international level.
Emily Husband: FA Team of Coaches & A Leagues Coach, Central Coast Mariners
Emily Husband is a highly respected football coach and the current Head Coach of the Central Coast Mariners' A-League Women’s team, holding this role since 2023. In her debut season in charge, Emily was named the A-League Women’s Coach of the Year. Before joining the Mariners, Emily had a successful coaching stint at Sydney University, where she built a strong reputation for developing young talent and fostering a positive, growth-focused team environment. In 2022, Emily was named the NSW NPL Women’s Coach of the Year and received a NSW Football Legacy A Licence Scholarship. Starting off her career in the UK, she has since coached across the globe in the US, Fiji, across Africa and Europe, before taking coaching roles in Australia.
Jessica Au – Player, Australian Women’s Futsal Team
Jessica Au is an accomplished Australian futsal player and athlete, recognised for her exceptional skills and leadership both domestically and internationally. Representing Australia in prestigious futsal competitions, including the 2025 AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup, Jessica has made a significant mark in the sport with her technical expertise, athleticism, and tactical awareness. Outside of football, Jessica is a dedicated General Surgery Registrar with a passion for advancing patient outcomes and contributing to surgical innovations. With a focus on research and improving surgical care, she combines her medical expertise with a drive to push the boundaries of healthcare. She balances the demands of elite sport with the intense commitment required in surgery, demonstrating an impressive ability to manage both pursuits at the highest level. This dual commitment has fostered a strong work ethic, resilience, and a collaborative mindset - qualities that she applies both in the operating room and on the field.
Georgia Beikoff – Player, CommBank ParaMatildas
Georgia Beikoff is a standout player for the CommBank ParaMatildas, Australia’s national team for women and girls with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury and symptoms of stroke. Since making her debut in 2022, against the Netherlands, Georgia has rapidly become a key figure on the team, earning a remarkable 15 appearances and scoring an impressive 27 goals. Georgia's achievements on the international stage are notable, with her standout performances at the 2022 IFCPF Women’s World Cup where she claimed the Golden Boot and helped the team secure a silver medal. Her stellar form continued in 2023 at the IFCPF Asia-Oceania Championships, where she not only won the Golden Boot but also contributed to the team’s gold medal victory. The pinnacle of her football career came in 2024 when she was part of the squad that won the IFCPF Women’s World Cup Gold Medal. These football medals joined her Paralympic javelin bronze medal from the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Beyond her goal-scoring prowess, Georgia is a school teacher and an advocate for accessibility and inclusion in sport, serving as a role model for young athletes with a disability. Her resilience, skill, and dedication to the game have made her a prominent figure in football, and she continues to inspire others both on and off the field.