THE NEXT is a new monthly podcast from The Female Athlete Project. Each episode, futurist and former athlete Reanna Browne joins Chloe and Bez to explore what’s changing in women’s sport, before it hits the headlines. Gambling is shifting to something that is part of the sporting infrastructure, and women’s sport is the new frontier of that.

The Female Athlete Project is excited to announce the 2025 TFAP Awards, honouring women who change the game.  ​ These awards are set to amplify, recognise and celebrate Australian athletes', administrators', and coaches' achievements in sports.   

Natalia Hogan is a survivor. Growing up, there was something inside her that didn’t want to give up, even when she reached the lowest point of her homelessness.  Now in her final year as a physiotherapy student, Natalia is Running Home. Running 170km from Sydney to Newcastle to raise funds and awareness for homelessness and give back to those who gave to her.

The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-finals delivered rugby in its purest form: brutal, fast, unrelenting, skilful, and utterly compelling. 

And then there were two. World Number One England and World Number Two Canada will meet in the World Cup final after commanding semi-final wins. England 35 defeated France 17. The Red Roses recorded their 32nd victory in a row, but were made to work for it against a French side who fell agonisingly short of their first World Cup final. Meanwhile, Canada 34 defeated New Zealand 19. The Canadians managed to put an end to the Black Ferns' dominance.

The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup semi-finals delivered rugby in its purest form: brutal, fast, unrelenting, skilful, and utterly compelling. 

Just four teams remain at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup. And each of those four teams is so far undefeated - with Canada, New Zealand, England and France each making their way through the pool stage and quarters unscathed.

Quarter-finals have reduced the tournament from eight teams to just four. The Female Athlete Project takes a moment to reflect on four things we’ve learned (and loved) so far. 

Eight teams are through to the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup Quarter Finals. Seven of those teams are ranked within World Rugby's Top Seven, while 10th-ranked South Africa has proven to be playing well above their rank.

The final eight teams of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup are locked in, with Australia claiming the last spot.  With the pool stages behind us, the tournament now enters its most unforgiving stretch: win and you move on, lose and you’re out. 

The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup (WRWC) is officially underway in England, and fans are breaking attendance records off the field, while players are smashing records on the pitch. 8500 fans packed out York's Community Stadium to watch the Wallaroos draw 31-31 with the USA, in what was the fourth sellout of the day on Saturday.

Round 2 was defining for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup. It should have locked in the final eight, but a dramatic draw in Pool A means the last quarter-final spot still hangs between the USA and Australia. At the same time, the picture is clearer for those whose campaigns will end this weekend. With only the top two sides from each pool progressing to the knockout stages, The Female Athlete Project breaks down the ins and farewells the outs.

The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup (WRWC) is officially underway in England, and fans are breaking attendance records off the field, while players are smashing records on the pitch. There were 10,054 proud fans at Salford Community Stadium wearing jerseys from numerous nations to watch the Wallaroos beat Samoa 73-0.

Under the grey skies of Sunderland, a record-breaking 42,723 fans packed the Stadium of Light to witness hosts, England face the United States in the tournament’s opener. As the weekend unfolded, all 16 teams entered the arena to stake their claim on the World Cup.   First impressions matter, and round 1 came out swinging. TFAP dives into the opening weekend to spotlight the moments that’ll shape five-week ride ahead.  

Three days out from the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, anticipation has never been higher. Since 2022 the game has exploded: more professional contracts, regular test rugby, new stars emerging and the world coming to know Illona Maher.

Two Wallaroos legends will give you Back Row seats to all the Women's Rugby World Cup action and any news coming out of the Wallaroos camp while they're travelling England.

For most people, identity is a question they can answer without thinking. But for the Malau-Aduli sisters, the question “Where are you from?” lands a little differently. Born in Japan. Raised in Australia. Parents from Nigeria. “It’s like nowhere feels fully like home,” Paula reflects. “But also, everywhere kind of does.” Still, it wasn’t always simple. As kids, they shape-shifted depending on context. More Nigerian at home, more Australian at school.

It didn’t feel dramatic at the time. There was no press release. No final bow. No sobbing on the track. Bendere Oboya just stopped. She folded her spikes into a bag, stepped away from the lane lines, and let the silence take over.

Before there were courts and crowds, there was freedom. The kind found in backyards and busy kitchens, in the rooms where Nyadiew Puoch first learned to move in her own way. In the middle of a house in Cranbourne East teeming with siblings, motion, and rhythm of a bouncing ball.

Sunday Aryang doesn’t enter a room loudly, but her presence off the court is felt much like it is on.  She speaks with the understanding of someone who listened and learned long before she found her voice. On the netball court, her movements are sharp, her vision focused, and her leadership undeniable. But off the court, she carries a quieter kind of strength, but a strength that is no less indisputable.