Former Matilda and Head of Women's Football who secured $357M for the FIFA Women's World Cup
Sarah Walsh earned 70 caps and 35 goals for the Australian Matildas, competing at the 2004 Olympics, the 2007 FIFA World Cup, and the 2010 Women's Asian Cup. A Logie-nominated commentator, she built a career that moved seamlessly from the pitch to the boardroom — and then to the highest levels of football administration.
As Head of Women's Football for Football Australia, Walsh masterminded the strategy that secured $357 million for the FIFA Women's World Cup, setting records for attendance, TV viewership and merchandise sales. The Matildas' run to the semi-finals in 2023 captured the nation — fan sites exceeded capacity in every state, and the team delivered a further $200 million in government investment for community facilities. Walsh was ranked 22nd on News Corp's list of the 100 most influential women in sport.
Sarah's presentations draw on a decorated playing career and executive experience to explore pay equity, inclusion in governance, and what it takes to build a movement that transcends sport. She is a compelling choice for audiences focused on leadership, diversity, and the commercial power of women's participation — and she speaks from the inside of one of Australia's great sporting moments.
Sarah Walsh is a keynote speaker based in New South Wales who speaks on diversity & inclusion, leadership and motivation. Book through Executive Speakers Australia.
By the time the Matildas reached the semi-finals of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup they had broken all of the records. They had achieved record TV viewership, record match attendance and record merchandise sales. The fan sites around the country were so far over capacity, every single state had to create more fan sites. Sometimes that meant designating large stadiums which were about to host men’s AFL games as fan sites. The AFL games around the country stopped to watch “that” penalty shoot out.
The players themselves have become household names. From Cortnee Vine who now has people stop her in the street to say thank you, to Hayley Raso and Mary Fowler who were impact players while Sam Kerr was injured and even Katrina Gorry who returned to playing from having her first child, The Matildas went from a few iconic players to a team of beloved champions.
Parents talk about how their sons asked if there was a men’s version of the Matildas.
Australian politicians took to social media to be associated with the team.
The Minister for Defence announced that his portfolio could be managed by Matildas Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold. The Minister for Sport declared she would like to be the Minister for the Matildas. Sam Kerr's calf made record headlines. We saw whole flights of passengers watching the games over in-flight entertainment.
Finally, at the end of the journey, even though the team didn't take home the silverware, they delivered a win for women and girls across all sports, attracting a further $200M from the government to improve community facilities.
So what conditions had to exist on and off the field to allow a women’s sports team to capture the hearts and minds of all of Australia? And what changes now in the industry of sport, broadcast, media, corporate and broader society as a result of Australia falling in love with the Matildas?
As the Head of Women's Football in Australia and a former Matilda (played from 2004-2012), Sarah shares the incredible story that led to record broadcast and engagement metrics for any Australian sports team ever, men's or women's. Sarah also looks at the innovation around the Matildas that managed to create a 5x multiplier in brand value, and questions what changes now as a result of Australia falling in love with the Matildas.
Sarah Walsh is a phenomenal speaker, she hit the mark for IWD and had the 500 audience silent and engaged in her talk. What I was looking for this event she nailed it. I would have her back in a heart beat & recommend her for future events.Metro Trains
Sarah was unreal. Had the whole audience in awe for 60 minutes. I can see why she's been so successful.Culture Amp
Sarah was amazing! My favourite quote was "I think what we've been able to achieve is that no one can ever say again that no one is watching, that no one is paying and that it's not commercial." Everyone loved the session and left so inspired.Microsoft
Tell us about your event and our consultants will return a curated shortlist within one business day.
