JCCA football greats honoured as FIFA Women’s World Cup looms

With the FIFA Women’s World Cup in full swing, Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge, Fremantle MP Josh Wilson, Mikalya Lyon, Festival of Community Soccer Chair Jane Fraser and Former JCCA Football Director Peter Rickers joined in the celebrations at John Curtin College of the Arts this term when former students Brad Jones, Lisa De Vanna, Chris Donnell and Hana Lowry were honoured for their contribution to the world game.

The celebrations continued with former JCCA students framed and signed shirts were unveiled to the community. The shirts will be on display in the coming weeks around the College.

Wilson spoke about the importance of supporting women’s soccer in the community, while Fitzhardinge highlighted the festival’s potential to bring people together. Fraser praised the hard work of the organisers and volunteers who have made the festival possible.

The event also featured a presentation by Mikayla Lyons, the captain of the local Women’s National Premier League (WA) team Fremantle City. Lyons spoke about her own journey in soccer and encouraged young women to pursue their dreams.

The new jerseys were designed by local artist Mel Spillman “I created the artwork

“Djookan Spirit” for the tournament and City of Melville, telling the story of the sport I am incredibly passionate about, the pathways, opportunities and support for girls and women in this sport and the sisterly connections and team spirit it creates”.

The Festival of Community Soccer Program hosted a weekend filled with football fun empowering women and girls from July 1516. The festival aimed to harness the energy around the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 being played for the first time in Australia and to encourage the participation of more women and girls in football so that they can enjoy the many physical and mental health benefits of playing team sport.

Research by Futures to Football Australia reveals that football is the most popular sport of those surveyed between the ages of 1424. This is the highest rate ever recorded by any sport for that age group. According to Futures Australia’s ‘Market Landscape Tracker’ the Matildas have surpassed the Wallabies to become Australia’s fourth-most popular national sporting team. This is really no surprise as women’s sport, and women’s football in particular, grows in popularity and accessibility across all media platforms. As a result of this visibility, elite athletes become celebrities and that’s what is driving young women’s passion for the sport.