Football South Australia is delighted to recognise South Australian, Moya Dodd AO, who has been acknowledged in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours List.
The former Matildas’ vice-captain and cap #42 has been appointed an Officer (AO) in the general division for service to football as a player and administrator at both the domestic and international level, as a role model to women, and to the law.
Moya Dodd’s name is synonymous with the term ‘trailblazer’, with her on and off-field achievements undoubtedly shaping the game in Australia to what it is today.
Moya’s playing career has spanned over 40 years and boasts iconic highlights including representing Australia at FIFA’s first ever women’s tournament, a ‘Pilot World Cup’ in 1988.
Speaking to Football South Australia, Moya highlighted how women’s football in it’s infancy in Adelaide shaped her playing career:
When I started playing, we played so many teams from the Salisbury – Elizabeth area. The earliest South Australian Matildas hailed from that region, and players like Jill Latimer, Carla Grims, Di Hall and Fiona McKenzie set the bar that inspired me to improve. That community really drove the beginnings of women’s football competitions in Adelaide, and I’m so glad they did. When England (European champions) plays China (Asian champions) in Adelaide, I hope they can feel great pride in knowing that they built the foundations on which we now stand.”
Post playing career, Dodd became a leading football administrator holding positions as a Football Australia Director, Asian Football Confederation Vice President, FIFA Executive Committee member and member of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport. Dodd has been instrumental in championing and advancing gender equality initiatives and her efforts have transformed women’s football in Australia and globally.
Moya has spoken of her great honour in receiving the award and how it has proved a point of great reflection for her:
This award is a great honour for our sport, and a tribute to how far we have progressed. When I was a kid, football was a sport for marginalised migrant communities, and definitely not for women. Now, it’s broadly embraced – everyone’s kids play football and the biggest show in women’s sport is coming here.”
Many have noted that the upcoming 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup™ on Australian shores is thanks to the tireless efforts of Moya who has ensured women’s football has been high on the agenda, whilst striving for gender equality in the game.