Suited for Legacy.
Honouring the women who changed the game; and continue to lead it.
Women’s football wasn’t built overnight.
Women’s football was shaped by pioneers who showed up before the world was watching, playing for passion, fighting for progress, and laying the foundations the Matildas now stand on.
Suited for Legacy celebrates five Matildas Alumni whose impact stretches far beyond their playing days. Now coaches, psychologists, community leaders, and advocates, they remain what they’ve always been: game changers.
In this campaign, these trailblazers step into customised Dina blazers, each with unique details; an evolution of the uniform and a modern symbol of leadership, identity, and pride.
We honour the women who built the game and highlight the influence they continue to have across boardrooms, classrooms, communities, and sporting pathways nationwide. As the AFC Women’s Asian Cup draws global attention, we shine the spotlight on the pioneers who made moments like these possible.
Still trailblazers. Still leaders. Still shaping the future.
Trae McGovern
Matilda #102
A former midfielder and defender, Trae McGovern enjoyed a five-year professional football career with the Northern Pride in the Ansett Summer series (now known as the Newcastle Jets in the A-League Women’s) and represented Australia from 1997 as part of the Matildas, training at the Australian Institute of Sport full time between 1998 and 2000, striving for selection in the Sydney Olympics. She was also featured in the Matildas’ iconic calendar, a moment that remains part of the team’s cultural history.
Beyond the pitch, she carved out an impressive career in the mining industry as an underground Safety Adviser and Captain of the Mines Rescue Team. In 2016 she founded The Australian Sportswoman, a media platform dedicated to raising the profile of our Australian female athletes and sports teams and mentoring aspiring female athletes in Well-being. Today, Trae leads Workplace Health & Safety and Emergency Response Training for Palm Lake Group. Trae is also a proud brand ambassador for Classic Sportswear, contributing to the brand’s Women’s First initiatives.
Alica Ferguson
Matilda #101
Alicia Ferguson is the current Head Coach of the ParaMatildas, Australia’s national women’s team for athletes with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury or symptoms from stroke. A former Matilda herself, Alicia enjoyed an outstanding international career, representing Australia at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and multiple FIFA Women’s World Cups. In 2006, she captained the team during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, underlining her leadership on and off the field. Off the pitch, Alicia has been a trailblazer for women in football, with her career spanning coaching, media, and advocacy for the game’s growth. She was also one of 12 Matildas to feature in the now-iconic 1999 nude calendar, becoming its youngest participant at just 17—a moment that sparked national conversation around women’s sport and visibility at the time.
Leigh Wardell
Matilda #11
Leigh Wardell is a Football Federation of Australia Hall of Fame member who played for the Matildas between 1978 and 1988. Leigh was also part of the Australian squad that competed in the first Oceania Cup in 1983 and the first FIFA Women’s Invitational Tournament – now the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Leigh has worked as a coach, official and volunteer at all levels of the sport, including roles at the North Western Sydney Koalas, Marconi, Football NSW, the NSW Institute of Sport, and as Assistant Coach to the Matildas.
Sue Read
Matilda Goalkeeper 1994-97
Sue is now a registered psychologist, highly sought after speaker, ABC radio presenter and workshop facilitator. Sue specialises in the fields of workplace and organisational psychology, performance psychology and is a specialist in the field of recovering from burnout and trauma. Sue provides psychology services to several professional sporting teams and elite athletes, including National Basketball League Team – the Canberra Capitals, and has a passion for helping elite athletes prepare for life after sport.
Beyond her impactful work in psychology, Sue boasts a remarkable athletic background. As a former elite athlete in track and field, she excelled in various disciplines, gaining several titles and records that still have not been broken! Additionally, Sue was a national weightlifting champion she served as a goalkeeper for the Australian national women’s soccer team, the Matildas. Sue’s multifaceted career reflects her passion for empowering others to unlock their full potential and thrive in the face of challenges.
Renaye Iserief
Matilda #26
Renaye has been a driving force in shaping both the history and legacy of women’s football in Australia, becoming a life member of the Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) in 2023. A proud former Matilda, she went on to found the Matildas Alumni, ensuring past players remain connected and celebrated as part of the national team’s story.
Beyond her playing career, Renaye has held key leadership roles in the game, including coaching and managing within the Northern NSW Intensive Training Centre (ITC) and the Young Matildas, also contributing to the growth and development of grassroots football in regional communities. Today, she continues to make an impact in her career at the John Hunter Hospital in Clinical Information, bringing the same commitment and passion she showed on the pitch to her work in healthcare.