In mid-May, the Connect, Lead, Transform Networking Event was held at the Gilbert + Tobin offices in Barangaroo, marking a pivotal moment for Festival26 Asia: Sportswomen for Change. This special evening, delivered in collaboration with the Council for Australian-Arab Relations (CAAR) within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), brought together partners, community leaders, and changemakers from Australia, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific.
The event served as a platform to connect and drive peer-to-peer learning around sport for social change and gender equity. Utilising a Hybrid Digital-Local Model, the evening featured a blend of in-person interactions and virtual contributions from international speakers, ensuring a globally connected dialogue despite geographical distances.
The program showcased local-to-global football initiatives specifically designed to build resilience and drive meaningful social impact. A major highlight of the night was the keynote address by Sally Hassona, the Founder of Impact Academy Egypt, who shared her insights on elevating women’s leadership.
Attendees also heard from a diverse panel of leading facilitators, administrators, and advocates for “sport for good,” including changemakers based in Australia, Palestine, Jordan, and Egypt. These voices collectively explored how sport can strengthen communities and shape the future of collective impact.
The networking event was strategically timed to coincide with Female Football Week and served as a lead-up to World Football Giving Day on May 26. It was also a moment of deep reflection and celebration as it marked Football United’s 20-year anniversary, honouring two decades of using football to foster inclusion, belonging, and opportunity for young people from diverse backgrounds.
Tonight provided a place for our delegates to meet others who are just as passionate about social impact through football and sport as they are. It gave them opportunities to connect with people who have years of experience in this field and provide steps forward in achieveing their goals for the people in their own communities.
Central to the discussions was the “Equal Play Effect”, a framework aimed at empowering young women to assume leadership roles in their communities through football-for-good initiatives. By focusing on transformative strategies and courageous leadership, Festival26 Asia continues to demonstrate that football is a powerful tool for building a more equitable and connected world.
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