Legacy ’23: Local and global football figures headline leadership panels

On March 8, Football Australia will conclude Female Football Week by celebrating International Women’s Day and AFC Women’s Football Day.

With a focus on the achievements of women in our sport, Football Australia has brought together some of the most influential women and men in the local and global game.

AFC WFD 2021

Hosted by Stephanie Brantz, the all-star casts have been assembled to provide the football community in the Asia-Pacific region access to world leading insights to inspire tomorrow’s leaders.

Featuring panellists from FIFA, CONCACAF, AFC, FIFPRO and Football Australia, the three online panels cover a range of topics through enlightening and informative conversations on modern leadership from the perspective of football executives, coaches and match officials.

HOW TO WATCH

With Australia co-hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023, the nation has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to generate an enduring legacy and empower a new generation of women to lead on and off the pitch.

All three panels will be available to watch on Facebook and YouTube.

Legacy ’23 is Football Australia’s plan to ensure greater female representation in key roles, to shape the future of Australian sport and realise the benefits of the hosting this global event, in particular in the leadership space.

LEARN MORE: Football Australia unveils ambitious FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ Legacy plan to Government

CELEBRATE: Female Football Week 2021

Kicking off at 10.00am (AEDST) on Monday, 8 March, the Executive Panel features some of football’s leading change agents including:

  • Sarai Bareman, Chief of Women’s Football at FIFA
  • Karina LeBlanc, Head of Women’s Football at CONCACAF
  • Amanda Vandervort, Chief Women’s Football Officer at FIFPRO
  • James Johnson, Chief Executive Officer at Football Australia
  • Sarah Walsh, Head of Women’s World Cup Legacy, Football Australia
Executives Panel
(L-R) Sarai Bareman, Karina LeBlanc, Amanda Vandervort, James Johnson, Sarah Walsh

At 3.00pm (AEDST), knowledge and international experience will be the hallmarks of the esteemed Match Officials Panel that comprises of:

  • Kari Seitz, FIFA Head of Refereeing – Women
  • Bibiana Steinhaus, Video Assistant Referee at DFB
  • Esfandiar Baharmast, former FIFA Referee and FIFA Referee Instructor
  • Kate Jacewicz, FIFA, AFC and Football Australia Referee
Officials Panel
(L-R) Kari Seitz, Bibiana Steinhaus, Kate Jacewicz, Esfandiar Baharmast

To conclude the series, at 7.30pm (AEDST) the Coaching Panel will impart almost 60 years of collective experience through:

  • Emma Hayes, Head Coach of Chelsea FC Women
  • Tony Gustavsson, Head Coach of the Westfield Matildas
  • Mel Andreatta, Assistant Coach of the Westfield Matildas
Coaches Panel
(L-R) Emma Hayes, Tony Gustavsson, Melissa Andreatta

The panels will also be available on Tuesday, 9 March on footballaustralia.com.au

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