Program aims to provide individualised development and world-class support to aspiring female athletes
The University of Wollongong's (UOW) UniActive has entered into a partnership with the Wollongong Wolves to bring the UniActive and Wollongong Wolves Female High-Performance Football Program to the Illawarra, which supports and develops elite female footballers in the Illawarra region.
The partnership is a step toward developing the future of women's football, with the Wollongong Wolves preparing to field a team in the national second division (B League) in the coming years. The program aims to provide individualised development and world-class support to aspiring female athletes, including tailored training in areas such as strength and conditioning, nutrition, sports psychology, female health education, and pathway support, as well as technical football training.
The partnership provides full scholarships to female footballers within the program, helping ensure that local talent has the resources to thrive as they pursue their goals in the sport.
The program marks an important milestone for the region, as there has not been a professional women's football team in Illawarra until now. The Wollongong Wolves are determined to change that by offering up to 30 scholarships to participants which will create a structured pathway for young female players to develop and reach the elite level.
The launch of the program reflects the Wollongong Wolves' ongoing commitment to women's football, complementing their long-standing support for men's football in the region. By providing equal access to elite-level training and resources, the program paves the way for the next generation of female footballers to emerge from Illawarra.
Former Socceroo and Wollongong Wolves Board member Luke Wilkshire said the growing momentum around women's football, the UniActive and Wollongong Wolves Female High-Performance Football Program promises to play a key role in shaping the future of the sport in the Illawarra and beyond.
"Currently, there is no professional women's team in the region, although the club has established clear pathways for the men's side. We aim to support the growth of women's football in the area by offering scholarships to female players for the UniActive and Wollongong Wolves Female High-Performance Football Program. The Wolves will select the players to receive these scholarships, and we are aiming to build an elite group of young female players ahead of the launch of the team".
"We are committed to supporting women's football and creating pathways for local female players at the elite level. While we've long supported men's football in the region, we're now focused on making a positive impact on the women's side as well."
"The female players will stay playing at their respective clubs and the program will supplement what they currently get from their clubs and to fast track female player development. We expect to be launching our own women's team in the coming years."
Wollongong Wolves Chairman Tory Lavalle said: "Since my involvement at the Wollongong Wolves and recognising the growth of women's football, as well as the fact that we will be granted a second division license also for a women's team in the coming years, we view this as a great opportunity to support women's football in the Illawarra region. As part of this, we are excited to offer up to 30 scholarships for women's players to join the program, which we believe aligns perfectly with the fantastic program being run by UniActive."
UniActive Sports Program Manager James Pendrigh said: "The program will bridge the gap between what clubs are doing in the Illawarra currently and what professional clubs do overseas in the development of women's teams.
"We expect football players to now comprise up to half of our new program with the rest being selected from female athletes in other sports, particularly in netball, rugby, hockey, swimming, basketball, athletics, and some other sports."
Expressions of interest are now open for the program starting 28 April 2025. Visit the UniActive Sports website to apply https://uniactive.uow.edu.au/health-fitness/uow-sport/female-athlete-high-performance-program/
