It's time, if not long overdue. The region's best female soccer players have called for an FFA Cup of their own.
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Belconnen United's women's team solidified themselves as the top side in Canberra after they cruised to their sixth straight Federation Cup title on Saturday.
But the lack of a nationwide tournament means they won't have the opportunity to test themselves at the next level.
This is in contrast to the Cooma Tigers, whose triumph in the men's Federation Cup saw them punch a ticket to the FFA Cup round-of-32 and potentially set up a clash with an A-League side.
Belconnen coach Antoni Jagarinec believes the introduction of an Australia-wide competition for women is long overdue.
"I think [an FFA Cup for women] is a long time in the making and if anything, it's probably too late," Jagarinec said.
"Exposure is a massive thing and the girls would benefit just by being on a bigger stage with other sets of eyes watching them, so it would be sensational."
Belconnen got a taste of playing at the next level last year, when they took on Sydney University in the inaugural Women's Challenge Cup.
The clash pitted the best side in Canberra against the premiers of Sydney, and Jagarinec says similar initiatives can get the ball rolling towards a nationwide FFA Cup.
"The Challenge Cup was really well run by Capital Football last year," Jagarinec said.
"I think it proved that a Canberra team can be competitive on a bigger stage and probably on a national stage as well.
"Sydney Uni brought a full-strength side down and it was a great match, so I don't see how [an FFA Cup] wouldn't work."
Belconnen captain Lauren Keir, who lifted the Federation Cup on Saturday, says an FFA Cup would offer the region's best young players with a pathway to national exposure.
Keir made her W-League debut for Canberra United over the summer after coach Heather Garriock brought her into the squad.
"It would be a great opportunity for Canberra talent to be identified by other clubs and by W-League sides," Keir said.
"Coaches from the W-League might identify young players and then give them an opportunity to trial with the side later on, so the opportunities are endless."
The Cooma Tigers will represent Canberra in the 2019 FFA Cup, which begins in mid-July.
Canberra Olympic put ACT football on the map in 2016 when they went on a dream run in the tournament, making it all the way to the semi-finals before falling to A-League giants Sydney FC.
