FFA's Head of Leagues Greg O'Rourke has revealed details of a new W-League partnership with the NWSL in the United States and the start of new relationships with leagues in Asia.
O'Rourke lauded the playing talent transferred between Australia and the United States with 25 NWSL players playing in the W-League and 14 Australians playing in America this year.
The league's chief revealed the collaboration involves discussion and conversation on how to best run the leagues to benefit the development of Women's football in both countries.
"We have a partnership where we speak on a regular basis, we talk about expansion, a home and away season, maternity policies and transfer conditions," O'Rourke told The Women's Game.
"We want to make sure that when they make decisions about expansion and length of seasons and other policies, that they make decisions conscious of what is happening in the W-League."
The close ties between the two leagues has opened the door for female footballers to make a full-time career in football a reality. It offers the opportunity for their income to be supplemented by playing in two leagues.
For Australians, this will be boosted by the new four-year Collective Bargaining Agreement announced earlier this week which will see Matildas paid the same as Socceroos players.
O'Rourke says the mutual understanding means decisions made between the two leagues are made in consultation with each other.
"We want to have more games, the question is, do we want to have more games through expansion or a home and away season," said O'Rourke.
"What we ask of the NWSL we ask of ourselves and what they ask of us is if we go to more games, where does that fit into our calendar? Does that come up against NWSL pre-season?
"Do the athletes get a reasonable break in between etc?"
While the symbiotic ties with the United States are moving along well, O'Rourke told The Women's Game that partnerships to strengthen Australian football are in the offing with the Japanese Football Federation and the AFC.
This comes ahead of Melbourne Victory's W-League team who are set to participate in the inaugural AFC Women's Club Championship's this month against champion clubs from China, Japan and South Korea.
"Tracey Scott, General Manager of Leagues, is in Japan now, talking to the J-League, talking to them about their men's and women's program," said O'Rourke.
"We're working with the AFC on the Club Championships. These are the things we are starting to build, when last year they were just dreams.
"Whilst she is in there with the J-League, she will be catching up with other leagues in Asia. The Chinese League will be there, the South Korean league will be there, although it's being hosted by the Japanese."
The W-League is less than a week away with round one kicking off on Thursday November 14.
Related Articles

Soccer abuse cases from process originally prompted by Lisa de Vanna claims handed to police

Four potential Young Matildas we’re hoping to see at the U-20 World Cup

Matildas ambition driving Roar's Crummer
Latest News

Noa's arc: Son of Socceroos gun making waves for Croatia

TESTED: Fox Union BOA clipless MTB shoes

Opinion: Hopefully it’s goodbye for now, not forever
Most Read

Victory shake-up: Talay in line to replace Popovic at ailing A-League giants

Land of the rising gun: Socceroos defender flying in Japan

Socceroos Abroad: Youngsters starring in the UK, Asia's big leagues commence, Ange domination continues, and Kisnorbo under pressure in France
