The standard of football, passion of supporters, crowd numbers and entertainment value of the matches exceeded all expectations in the Westfield W-League Season One. The success was even more remarkable given the limited time clubs had to prepare and organise their respective teams. The sight of over 4,500 supporters at the Grand Final in Brisbane, mostly attired in orange shirts and matching face paint, was something I have never experienced in women's football in Australia. Both the major sponsor, Westfield, and television provider ABC, were delighted with the competition.

For Season Two teams have prepared more thoroughly, recruited more aggressively and are all aiming for the finals. As in Season One I am confident we will be surprised by the performances of some 'unknown' talents as well as witnessing the improvement of several of our young elite and established players.

There has also been an extraordinary amount of interest from overseas players, who both admire the style and quality of our football and who would relish the opportunity to play here and enjoy the Australian lifestyle for a few months. We will have players from Asia, Europe and North America to add spice, variety and quality to our league.

What is also important is that we all continue to support this competition, striving to make it better both on and off the field to take women's football in Australia to another level. The Westfield W-league is very much the catalyst that will elevate women's football to the most popular female sport in Australia.

So I await Season Two with much anticipation and excitement.