The rebel Female Football awards will be held on Friday, recognising the incredible contribution by both women and men in football at all levels of the game in Australia.
As well as highlighting work done by women at both Westfield W-League and Hyundai A-League clubs, it also shines a light on the unique stories and volunteers at Member Federation and grassroots level.
The awards are held in categories including Female Player of the Year, Female Coach of the Year, Female Administrator of the Year, Female Referee of the Year and Male Champion of the Year.
And today we’re looking at the nominees from Football West.
Female Player of the Year – Hannah Lowry
Lowry has been named WA Female Footballer of the Year after proving herself a true role model on and off the field. The 16-year-old has shown tremendous dedication and is an example to her teammates and opponents. Her football journey began at Cockburn City when she was seven and she first represented WA at the NTC Challenge in 2016.
Lowry is also keen to share what she has learned with younger female players, taking several coaching clinics. Her commitment to working and developing has been rewarded with a Football West-funded scholarship with Perth Glory and selection for the Junior Matildas. She represented Australia at the AFC U16 Women’s Championship in Thailand.
Female Coach of the Year – Faye Chambers
With nine years’ coaching experience ranging from community club and sporting college to Head Coach for Football West NTC and State U15s, Faye Chambers has firsthand experience of the female football pathway. Faye’s biggest love is being on the training pitch, helping develop talented female players. Some of the players she has worked with have gone on to play for the Junior Matildas including Tijan McKenna and Hannah Lowry.
Female Administrator of the Year – Stephanie Swanson Garner
The 2020 rebel Female Administrator of the Year has been a driving force in advancing female football from the moment she arrived in Australia in 2011. Having played in the US from the age of seven, Stephanie was disappointed to learn there were fewer opportunities for her daughter in WA at the time. Instead of complaining, however, she rolled up her sleeves and set about opening doors for girls in the South West.
The success of the team inspired Stephanie to launch the Australind Girls Carnival – the only girls carnival in the state – and help set up an all-girls league. She has also worked with the Country Week team and Football Federation South West’s girls development program, as well as being a delegate for the Country Coastal Junior Soccer Association.
Male Champion of the Year – Andy Longmore
Andy is a strong advocate of female football who constantly seeks ways to improve opportunities for girls. He has been involved with Margret River Soccer Club for 30 years, most recently as the Junior Football Co-ordinator looking after 17 teams and 248 players. Other roles include kit and equipment manager, organisation with coaches and the local Shire to upskill coaches with coaching certificates, refereeing and canteen assistance.
He is also working with the club’s Technical Director to create a Mission, Vision and Club philosophy for the club, as well as the development of an official female player development pathway to help young players from Country WA to progress. His investment in female football has seen players go on to play for the South West Phoenix Women’s Team, and also represent Regional WA in Singapore.
