Northern NSW Football has concluded its 2026 Women’s Leadership Program, designed to empower female leaders within the football community through education, networking and professional development, enabling them to create a positive impact across all levels of the game.
The program combined online and face-to-face workshops over five weeks, bringing together aspiring and established female leaders from across northern NSW to develop their skills, share experiences and build meaningful connections.
The Women’s Leadership Program aimed to strengthen the presence of women in decision-making roles by increasing the capacity and number of female leaders throughout all levels of football.
All 13 participants attended a two-day conference in the program’s third week at Rydges Resort in the Hunter Valley. The conference allowed all participants to come face-to-face with each other and build relationships between club volunteers, committee members, administrators and NNSWF staff for improved support.
Women’s sport consultant Ann Odong facilitated the program.
University of Newcastle FC’s Charlotte Carey took valuable experiences and lessons away from participating in the program.
“The Women’s Leadership Program has given me the confidence and inspiration to pursue a career further in football whilst also developing skills that can be used across all aspects of life,” Carey said.
“The mentorship and quality of information provided has been incredible and has united a drive to achieve great things for our local and wider football communities.”
Northern NSW Football Participation & Women’s Football Officer – Regional Jamie Bressan was thrilled with the program’s success.
“Northern NSW Football’s Women’s Leadership Program continues to provide a valuable opportunity for women from across the game to connect, learn from one another and develop their leadership skills,” Bressan said.
“This year’s program brought together 13 participants, taking the total number of graduates to 98 women from across northern NSW since the program began in 2023.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see more women stepping into leadership roles and making a positive impact within football. By providing a supportive environment to learn and share experiences, we’re helping participants build the confidence and skills to influence the game in meaningful ways.
“Throughout the program, participants explore topics including effective communication, personality styles and team dynamics. These are practical skills that can be applied not only within football but also in their professional and personal lives.
“One of the greatest strengths of the program is the network it creates. Bringing women together to share ideas, challenges and successes allows participants to learn from each other’s experiences while building lasting connections that strengthen football communities across the region.
“I’m excited to see the contribution this year’s cohort will make within our game.”
Participants:
Bella Ramzan-Levy: Cooks Hill United – Newcastle Football
Charlotte Carey: University of Newcastle FC - Newcastle Football
Erin Bruce: Westlakes Wildcats – Newcastle Football
Gabby Robertson: Newcastle Olympic – Newcastle Football
Gabrielle Blanch: Lake Macquarie City FC – Macquarie Football
Natalie Willsallen: Western Wolves – Northern Inland
Rachel Batinic: Gunnedah and District Soccer Association – Northern Inland
Rachel Bax: Wauchope FC – Football Mid North Coast
Tahlia Blanshard: University of Newcastle FC – Newcastle Football
Teegan Bishop: Stockton Sharks – Newcastle Football
Casey Spencer: NNSWF
Jessica Pickering: NNSWF
Natasha Drummond: NNSWF