2024 A-Leagues All Stars Women game
| Company type | Exhibition match |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sports event |
| Founded | May 24, 2024 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne , Australia |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Joe Montemurro (head coach) |
| Products | Soccer match event |
The 2024 A-Leagues All Stars Women match was a showcase soccer event conducted on 24 May 2024, featuring a selection of top players from the A-League Women competing against the Women's Super League side Arsenal at Melbourne's Docklands Stadium. This event marked the first-ever women's All Stars encounter and was incorporated into Global Football Week Melbourne, representing the fourth iteration of the overall A-Leagues All Stars Game.
Background
In March 2024, the Australian Professional Leagues (APL) revealed three fixtures scheduled for Global Football Week Melbourne, which included the A-Leagues All Stars Games hosted at Marvel Stadium. The newly formed women's All Stars team took on Arsenal on 24 May, following the men's fixture where the A-Leagues All Stars faced Premier League team Newcastle United. This match was Arsenal Women's debut competitive appearance in Australia. Additionally, Newcastle played a friendly against Tottenham Hotspur at the Melbourne Cricket Ground two days prior. The event’s official apparel supplier was Kappa. Broadcasting rights within Australia were secured by 10 Bold and Paramount+.
Squads
The A-League All Stars Women roster consisted of 19 players, including two goalkeepers as a requirement, chosen by the coaching panel. On 23 April 2024, fan voting led to the announcement of Alex Chidiac and Hannah Wilkinson as the first two selected players. Head coach Joe Montemurro was appointed on 26 April, with assistants Kat Smith and Emily Husband, and Melissa Maizels serving as goalkeeping coach.
The complete squad was unveiled on 9 May, featuring five members from the Australian national team and four players from Sydney FC, who were recent victors of the 2024 A-League Women grand final. Arsenal announced their 19-player lineup on 20 May, which included Australian internationals Steph Catley, Kyra Cooney-Cross, and Caitlin Foord. Match officials comprised referee Casey Reibelt, assistant referees Emma Kocbek and Maggie Price, along with fourth official Georgia Ghirardello.
Criticism
After Montemurro’s appointment as head coach, former player Lisa De Vanna voiced disapproval regarding the decision to select a coach not currently involved in the A-League Women, describing it as "an insult to all the coaches who have put in the effort and remained loyal" within Australia. Similarly, ex-Central Coast Mariners footballer Daniel McBreen expressed that an A-League Women coach ought to have been "honoured" with this position.