leaving a legacy with matildas goalkeeper lydia williams

the [female] athlete project

At the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, goalkeeper Lydia Williams, alongside teammate Claire Polkinghorne, became the first Australian footballer (man or woman) to play at FIVE FIFA World Cups. Lydia is a proud Noongar woman who was born in Katanning, WA, but lived most of her childhood years in Kalgoorlie, a small town north-east of Perth. In 2022, she became the first female goalkeeper to register 100 caps for Australia, and just the second Indigenous player to do so after Kyah Simon a few months earlier. On top of an incredible Matildas’ resume, she’s had an extensive career overseas, with clubs including Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain. I absolutely loved the chance to sit down and chat with Lydia, she’s really calm and composed, and reflects beautifully not only on her career to date, but on the legacy she hopes to leave, in particular for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids. Buy our kids book The A to Z of Who I Could Be, or book for adults GIRLS DON’T PLAY SPORT. www.thefemaleathleteproject.com/shop Get the wrap delivered into your inbox as a weekly newsletter! Subscribe here for the newsletter + don’t miss a merch drop. www.linktr.ee/thefemaleathleteproject Shop TFAP merch: https://www.thefemaleathleteproject.com/shop Find us on Instagram: @thefemaleathleteproject #womenssport