Football Australia Welcomes New Federal Minister For Sport Anika Wells

Football Australia today congratulated The Hon. Anika Wells MP on her appointment as Minister for Sport and looks forward to working closely with the new Federal Government ahead of a very exciting time for Australian football.

Football Australia Chair Chris Nikou said that the Minister takes over this portfolio at a time where Australian football heads into a pivotal period.

“Australian football has been through an exciting transformative period over the last two years and has also embarked on a bold and ambitious 15-year vision. 

“This new strategic agenda presents enormous opportunities for the sport as we also look forward to hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™, in just over a year’s time, which will inspire a nation and have an everlasting impact well beyond the tournament through Football Australia’s Legacy ‘23 plan”, Nikou said.

Football Australia Chief Executive Officer, James Johnson was equally excited about Minister Wells’ appointment and the opportunity to meet with her in the near future.

“We are Australia’s largest club-based participation sport, and we have the most multicultural, diverse and inclusive community of any other sport in the Australian sporting landscape.  We are also custodians of two of Australia’s most iconic team brands, the Socceroos, and Commonwealth Bank Matildas, which represent our country proudly across the globe.  


“We also look forward to uniting a nation as co-hosts of the largest women’s tournament in the world, the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™.  The World Cup in 2023, will be the largest and most-watched FIFA Women’s World Cup of all time, generating enormous publicity and interest in our country. However, we are also determined to leave an everlasting legacy for the sport, well beyond the World Cup through Football Australia’s Legacy ‘23 plan.

“Australian football has much to be excited about and I look forward to engaging with Minister Wells and discussing our exciting new vision for Australian football and exploring opportunities to harness the power of our game to contribute to Australian society and showcase our great nation to the world.  

“We wish the Minister the very best as she begins her new role and looks forward to building a productive working relationship well into the future”, Johnson concluded.