- Power Her Play month-long campaign to champion women and girls in sport
- AFC Women's Asian Cup opening match and sold-out WNBL grand final series match in Perth this weekend
- Positioning WA as a national leader in driving gender equity
- Cook Government committed to building inclusive communities
The Cook Government has today launched Power Her Play, a statewide campaign championing women and girls in sport as Perth prepares to host the AFC Women's Asian Cup and a landmark run of world-class events.
Running throughout March 2026, Power Her Play celebrates participation at every level, from local community clubs through to elite international competition. It recognises the strong progress made in recent years, while reinforcing our commitment to inclusive environments, modern facilities, safe participation spaces and more women in leadership roles across the sector.
The campaign launches on a huge day for WA sport.
The Matildas will take on the Philippines in the opening match of the AFC Women's Asian Cup, while the Perth Lynx face Townsville Fire in a sold-out WNBL grand final series clash at Perth HPC. It sets the tone for a month that will showcase Western Australia as a national leader in driving gender equity through sport.
Perth will host 10 AFC Women's Asian Cup fixtures from 1 to 17 March, welcoming teams from Japan, Chinese Taipei, Vietnam, India, the Philippines, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan.
The momentum will continue with the Australia v India Women's Test Match at the redeveloped WACA Ground from 6 to 9 March, International Women's Day on 8 March, and the West Coast Fever season opener on 15 March.
Power Her Play is about more than major events. It is about ensuring every girl in Western Australia can see a pathway for herself in sport, whether that is pulling on a local club jersey, stepping into coaching, or leading from the boardroom.
Western Australians are encouraged to get behind the campaign by celebrating women in sport at every level and sharing local stories using the hashtag #PowerHerPlayWA .
For more information on the Power Her Play campaign, details on key events and initiatives, ways to get involved or show support, visit cits.wa.gov.au/PowerHerPlay
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister Hon Rita Saffioti MLA:
"March is shaping up as a defining month for women's sport in Western Australia.
"Power Her Play is about recognising the extraordinary contribution women and girls make to our sporting landscape, while also committing to breaking down the barriers that still exist.
"Seeing the Matildas open the AFC Women's Asian Cup here in Perth, alongside a sold-out WNBL Grand Final, sends a powerful message to young girls across our State.
"If you can see it, you can be it and this month is about showing what is possible."
As stated by Minister for Women Simone McGurk:
"Power her Play champions women and girls in sport and is about ensuring every girl in Western Australia can see a pathway for herself either in a local club, in coaching or in a management role.
"If you can see it, you can be it and this month is about showing what is possible."
