The Football Federation of Australia unveiled a" long-term plan on Monday to raise the technical standard of women's football by bolstering the grassroots level of the game" with a six-figure grant from FIFA, according to Dominic Bossi of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The FFA was granted A$536,000 ($500,000) by FIFA to establish a "national women and girls football development program, aimed at raising participation rates of amateur female footballers and coaches at local amateur and youth levels." Australia identified the need to "improve the foundations of women's football" to maintain int'l competitiveness and "enhance the semi-professional, top tier of the game, which still struggles financially." The FFA is the first Asian federation member to "ask for specific funds from FIFA for a women's football development project." FFA Head of Community & Women's Football Emma Highwood said, "It's completely plausible that every future Matilda in the next decade will come through the program in some shape or form." Asian Football Confederation VP Moya Dodd highlighted the need for the game to "retain the best female footballers beyond their playing careers to pass on their experience." Dodd: "I would like to see more players retained through coaching pathways. That's something that's been fairly undeveloped in Australia" (SMH, 8/18).
