Mary Fowler Tops Code Sports’ 100 Most Influential Women in Australian Sport 2026

Mary Fowler has ascended to the top of Code Sports’ list of the 100 most influential women in sport, a testament to her resilience and multifaceted achievements both on and off the pitch. Joining her on the prestigious list are Australian captain Sam Kerr, and retired Matildas legends Heather Garriock, Sarah Walsh, and Lydia Williams, highlighting a period of significant growth and recognition for Australian women’s football.

Fowler’s Remarkable Comeback

Fowler’s rise to #1, up from #13 last year, is particularly noteworthy given the adversity she overcame in 2025. While enjoying a career-best run of form with Manchester City – becoming the first player to record two or more goal involvements in four consecutive appearances – an ACL injury in April threatened to sideline her for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™. The forward faced a grueling rehabilitation process with the tournament looming just ten months away.

Still, Fowler didn’t allow the injury to define her. Instead, she embraced the opportunity to explore other passions, demonstrating a remarkable perspective. She became the first female footballer to walk the runway at Paris Fashion Week for L’Oreal and channeled her energy into writing, publishing her debut book, Bloom: Creating a Life I Love.

Her dedication to recovery paid off. Fowler returned to action for Manchester City in February 2026 and was promptly named in Joe Montemurro’s squad. Her first start in 332 days for Australia saw her find the back of the net against IR Iran in a 4-0 victory, a powerful symbol of her determination and return to form.

Garriock’s Leadership Role

Heather Garriock’s influence extends beyond her decorated playing career. In 2025, she made history as the first woman to lead Football Australia as Interim CEO. A distinguished former Matilda, Olympian, and sports administrator, Garriock brought a wealth of experience to the role. Her previous leadership as CEO of Australian Taekwondo and her position as a director on the FA Board since 2021, alongside her role on the Asian Football Confederation’s Technical Committee, underscored her qualifications.

Following the appointment of Martin Kugeler as CEO in February 2026, Garriock transitioned into the newly created role of Executive Director of Football and Deputy CEO. This strategic move ensures continuity and strong executive leadership within the organization, particularly as Australia hosts the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ and prepares for the FIFA World Cup 26™.

Walsh’s Successful Tournament Delivery

Sarah Walsh is currently overseeing what is being hailed as the most successful AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ to date. As Chief Operating Officer of the Local Organising Committee, she has overseen record-breaking attendance figures and overall tournament success.

The opening match between Australia and another nation at Perth Stadium drew a crowd of 44,379, setting a new record for attendance at a Women’s Asian Cup match. This record was then broken just a week later at Sydney’s Stadium Australia, where 60,279 fans gathered on International Women’s Day to watch the CommBank Matildas host Korea Republic. The tournament has already surpassed 250,000 tickets sold, eclipsing the previous record of 59,910 set during the entire 2010 edition in China.

Kerr’s Return and Continued Impact

Sam Kerr’s return to football in 2025, after more than a year sidelined with an ACL injury, was a significant moment for both Chelsea and the Matildas. She marked her return with a milestone – scoring her 100th goal for the club.

Kerr’s leadership and goal-scoring prowess are well-documented, having become Australia’s all-time leading goalscorer at the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup™, surpassing Tim Cahill’s previous record. During the current AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™, she has scored two goals, including the match-winner in her hometown of Perth, her first goal for Australia in 851 days.

Williams’ Legacy and Continued Contribution

Lydia Williams, recently honored with the Alex Tobin Medallist – the Professional Footballers Australia’s (PFA) highest honour for career-long contribution – remains a pivotal figure in Australian football. Having recently retired from international football in 2024, Williams boasts nearly 19 years of service to her nation, making her debut in 2005.

A proud Noongar woman, Williams is one of only two footballers to represent Australia at senior FIFA tournaments on five occasions (2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023). She has as well participated in six AFC Women’s Asian Cups (2006, 2008, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022), two Olympic Games Women’s Football Tournaments (2016, 2020), and the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. She made history as the first Australian female goalkeeper and only the second Indigenous footballer to surpass 100 international caps.

Since retiring from international play, Williams has transitioned to a role on the Australian Sports Commission board, where she continues to contribute to the development of Australian sport.