A women-led mental wellbeing not-for-profit that empowers women and girls in football to lead on and off the pitch. We provide role model programs and wellbeing workshops to support women and girls to stay in the game and lead to their capabilities.
We are a women-founded and led organisation of players and coaches that’s gaining ground for women and girls in football and our work has never been more important to the legacy of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023.
We’ve played a collective one hundred years of football. We’re American, Australian, British, Canadian and Thai. Some of us say soccer. Some of us prefer football.
We play, train, and coach at Fremantle City Football Club. We’re passionate about sport and wellness. From our homes to the classroom, yoga studio, and newsroom, we’ve experienced the need to empower young girls and women to overcome self-doubt and build self-belief to thrive on and off the field.
A Gaining Ground Women in Sport mental health discussion in November 2022. An open and honest conversation at Fremantle City FC with Ange Stannett, Fremantle Dockers; Natasha Rigby, Perth Glory, and Mikayla Lyons, Fremantle City FC). Photo: Rebecca Mansell
We first met around a boardroom table to share honest experiences about mental health as players and coaches. In 2021 our pilot program Game Changers empowered young women to become mentors and coaches and join leadership boards. In 2022 we evolved to Gaining Ground and we operated a full program for up to 16 teams and 180 players. In 2023 we incorporated and we’re expanding to clubs throughout Western Australia.
When we build joy, connection, and belonging, we retain players, create mentors, and empower women and girls to step into coaching and leadership roles.
Read the SBS story about how we’re sustaining growth in women’s football.
