Matildas great Heather Garriock hopes some of Australia's leading soccer minds can be the catalyst for change to help the game move forward on and off the field.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Former Canberra United coach Garriock has been added to the inaugural "Starting XI" panel, which boasts some of the Matildas and Socceroos greatest players and officials.
Canberra-based technical guru Ron Smith is also on the 11-person panel, which was formed by the FFA to launch the "future of football" at all levels.
Garriock, who played 130 games for Australia and almost 20 years in leagues around the world, said she was honoured to have the chance to shape the sport's direction in the coming years.
One of her missions is to help give the W-League the boost it needs as competitions in Europe threaten to snatch Australia's best players, as well as
"I'm pretty flattered because I've got the chance to contribute to football in Australia," Garriock said.
"I think the key things is change. To have people in the Starting XI with so much football experience ... the important thing is change at the elite level and at the grassroots.
"That's what appeals to me because there's a really remarkable opportunity, especially in times like this, to reset and regroup."
Garriock will link with Smith, Mark Viduka, Mark Bosnich, Josip Skoko, Paul Okon, Frank Farina, Clare Polkinghorne, Vicki Linton, Joey Peters and Connie Selby on the think-tank panel.
MORE CANBERRA SPORT
They will work with the FFA's development committee as well as Socceroos coach Graham Arnold and Matildas mentor Ante Milicic.
Viduka has led criticism of the FFA's development plans, calling for soccer's AIS centre of excellence program to be restarted to give young players the same chances he had.
"Being able to contribute to the pathways is something that really interests me because I think change can happen. I think there's no better person to lead football in Australia than a past player like [FFA chief executive] James Johnson," Garriock said.
"Now it's about building these groups and being able to make those changes. There are a number of aspects where the game can grow.
"I'm interested in both men's and women's. But there are two different pathways, it can't be one size fits all."
Garriock moved to Canberra three years ago to begin her coaching career. She helped usher in a generation of new players, including Matilda Karly Roestbakken. But the team's finals failures led to her departure earlier this year.
Capital Football has delayed its search for Garriock's replacement, but a new mentor is needed to start rebuilding the team.
Garriock believes the W-League needs to be improved to ensure Australia's top women have a genuine stepping stone to international football and aren't lured abroad to be professional.
Calls for a full home and away season have so far fallen on deaf ears, and player earnings vary wildly across the competition.
"I think there's hope with the new board. I just want to contribute my love of football, there's nothing better than giving back," Garriock said.
"The W-League needs to change. We need more games ... the gap is too big between levels at the moment.
"We've talked about change for a long time in Australia. Now it's about time to put it into action."