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Female Football Week: Jules Nickson-Pole

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For Female Football Week, we spoke to Manly Vale President Jules Nickson Pole. Her association with the club started when her eldest daughter joined Manly Vale Under 6 Wombats in 2004. Her daughters still play for the club. Jules herself proudly wore the maroon for many years as part of the Manly Vale Diamonds.

“I’ve been with the club for a long time – as an O35 player and as team manager for my daughters. I initially joined the Committee as Vice-President Junior Women, then moved to Senior Vice-President. This is my third year as Club President.

“Manly Vale is a club that has a very long history and is well-known in the community. I love the fact that every day you can spot someone wearing Manly Vale colours around town! We are recognised as a leader in the women’s space. Our WPL team has been successful for a very long time and are great role models for our younger women.

“We have an amazing group of volunteers that give their time, energy and passion to Manly Vale. Some of them have been part of the club for longer than anyone can remember! We’ve had an influx of new volunteers recently, and they’ve brought a positive energy and expertise to the Committee. Volunteers are at the heart of Manly Vale.

“It’s Manly Vale’s 75th birthday next season. We’re so proud of this achievement and look forward to celebrating the milestone with our wonderful community.”

Manly Vale are fortunate to have someone like Jules at their club and we thank her for her service to local football. We also thank the other women who are MWFA Club Presidents – Marianne Hardy (ABH United), Sam Cheesman (BTH Raiders), Piroska Size (Dee Why), Suzy Broughton (Harbord), Karen Parsons (Pittwater), and Jo Sloots (St Augustine’s).

Female Football Week: Adelaide Williams

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For Female Football Week, we spoke to Adelaide Williams, who is in her fourth season as a referee with MWFRA. Adelaide also plays for Harbord. She started officiating after being asked to fill in when there was no referee for a game her younger sister was playing in, and she loved the experience.

“I found a course, my friend & I enrolled and completed the course.

“I enjoy the atmosphere of the games and just being at the fields all day. It’s a really nice community and it’s a fun environment.”

Adelaide was part of the officiating team for last year’s Women’s Premier League Grand Final and relished the challenge. She is looking forward to many more years as a member of MWFRA.

“It was tough, needing to concentrate all the time, but it was really good, getting my skills sharpened for that game, getting to know the other refs.

“Refereeing is definitely something I’m going to keep doing. I would like to go further up, but we’ll just see how things pan out.”

Female Football Week: ABH United WPL

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For Female Football Week, we wanted to congratulate ABH United FC, this year’s Challenge Cup winners.

Club President Marianne Hardy is delighted at the progress of the club’s WPL program.

“Allambie Beacon Hill United Football Club are immensely proud of our Women’s Premier League team.

“As a recently formed and evolving club, it is important that our teams represent our core values of sportsmanship and determination, as displayed by the squad.

“Well done ladies!”

Mosman FC Celebrates Female Football Week!

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On Sunday, Mosman FC will celebrate Mother’s Day and Female Football Week with an event at Allan Border Oval.

If you’re in the area, head down and support this wonderful event – the kiosk will be open, there will also be mini games, and crazy hair spraying for the kids!

Club President Richard Pike said, “At Mosman FC, we’re incredibly proud to celebrate Female Football Week from May 2-11, 2025, highlighting the amazing women and girls who are part of our football family. This week is a fantastic opportunity to honour and support the incredible contributions of female athletes. With our WALs teams playing this Mother’s Day weekend, it’s the perfect time to show our appreciation for the women who inspire us, both on and off the field.

Let’s unite to celebrate the strength, passion, and perseverance of our players as they continue to break boundaries in the world of football. Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing mothers, coaches, and female role models in our community! Your support and dedication are what keep us moving forward.”

Sunday 11 May
Allan Border Oval

Female Football Week: Ange Carey

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For Female Football Week, we spoke to Ange Carey, who is a long-serving member of our Disciplinary Committee. Before joining that committee, she volunteered at various clubs while her husband Maurice was travelling around the MWFA grounds as a coach.

“I have four children, and they’ve all played in the local competition. That’s how I got started, as support for my husband Maurice when he was coaching, helping in the canteen and doing whatever was required.”

When asked why she joined the Disciplinary Committee, Ange said, “I wanted to make a difference, I wanted to get involved. I like making sure that everything is consistent and fair, it’s important to be impartial when deciding on judiciary matters.”

If you see Ange, please thank her for her service to local football!

Female Football Week: Lisa Whelan

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For Female Football Week, we interviewed Lisa Whelan. She is Manly United’s Boys Youth League Convenor, having previously been a team manager, and she also has a strong association with Dee Why FC.

“About 20 years ago, my husband Johnny was playing at Dee Why, and it started as a bet that he wanted me and my girlfriends to put a team together. Johnny coached us, we worked our way up, we started in Division 5, and by the end we were in Division 1!

“I ended up taking on the Secretary role there for a couple of years. My dad’s an electrician, so we applied for a grant to finally get some lights at Dee Why. It was quite a moment when we got floodlights, so they can play night games on Dee Why Fields 1 and 2.

“By taking on the team manager role, and same with the Convenor role, I wanted the kids to feel like they were part of something. We organise team dinners and weekends away, we make sure the kids attend Senior Games, be ball boys and hang out. That’s the main reason we started to get involved.

“A lot of the work is on game day. It’s making sure the referees have been paid, that the match balls are there, the VEO camera is set up for the day, making sure our barbecue runs smoothly, helping Alice and Pete in the canteen as well, and making sure we’ve got volunteers that are happy to help for the day.”

Female Football Week: Leah Burton

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For Female Football Week, we interviewed Seaforth junior Leah Burton. In addition to being one of the youngest members of Manly United’s 1st Grade squad, she is also the club’s Head of Girls JDL, and the GYL U15 coach.

Leah played in a boys team at Seaforth, and she said her best memory from that time was “mud sliding and fun in the rain” at Seaforth Oval!

She is looking forward to how this season develops, in both a playing and coaching sense.

“It’s exciting. We’ve got a good squad this year, good vibes and a really competitive environment, which is nice.

“I got into coaching because of Shaz (Manly United Girls & Women’s Technical Director). I played here, and I really took a liking to that side of the game. She told me to start coaching with her, and it just went from there. There’s been such a good platform in helping support female coaches and bridging that gap for us.

“I love the mentorship and relationship we get out of it. The players watch our 1st Grade games, which is amazing! I really enjoy watching them develop and grow a love for the game.”

Female Football Week: Lee-Anne Sestanovich

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Today is the first day of Female Football Week. We have interviewed Lee-Anne Sestanovich, who is an extremely familiar face at Cromer Park and in Northern Beaches football. Like a lot of people, family was a big part of the reason for her association with the local game.

“My husband Michael is involved at Manly Vale doing several different roles, he’s been playing since he was six for Manly Vale, Manly Warringah and APIA. Around 20 years ago the Manly Vale gear steward stepped down and the two of us took on the gear for the club.

“I played for around five seasons with a group of friends and would spend every weekend watching our kids Lara and Daniel play.

“I first started at the MWFA as a receptionist, doing three days a week. When the competition manager left, they asked me if I wanted this role, 16 years later I’m still here.

“I love working at MWFA and Manly United FC, they are a great bunch of people, and enjoy working with the committees & club volunteers.

“A big thank you to all our female coaches, players, referees and volunteers for everything you do.”

Upcoming Coaching Courses

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Our coaching courses are a great way to introduce yourself to the world of coaching, and they are also highly useful for any coach who would like a refresher. These courses will be taught by Manly Warringah FA coaching presenters – look below to see how you can help your team this season!

Coaches registered with an MWFA club will be reimbursed for the costs of registration upon completion of the course.

 

Grassroots Coaching Festival

We will be hosting a Grassroots Coaching Festival on Monday 28 April. The Festival will showcase practices from the MiniRoos Kick-Start and Foundation of Football programs, as well as youth sessions designed & delivered by experienced local coaches.

Click here to register!