JCCM Jane Cowmeadow Communications and Management

Melissa has represented the Australian Women’s Soccer team, the Matilda’s, on more than 70 occasions. This makes Melissa the all time most capped Australian women’s team goal keeper. She has captained the Matilda’s, as well as the Melbourne Victory W-League team, where she was awarded Goal keeper of the Year in 2008. A confident and articulate public speaker, Melissa divides her time between her work, speaking engagements at schools, and her focussed program of training and conditioning for both the W-League competition and her National representative duties.

Expectations are high amongst the team following their all conquering championship win at the 2010 Asian Cup. Melissa captained the Matilda’s at the 2011 FIFA World Cup and views qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics, as an exciting and challenging path on which she is about to travel. Melissa is passionate about promoting her sport and building its profile. She is equally focussed on developing sporting pathways for elite female athletes in Australia and promoting healthy lifestyles amongst Australian woman of all ages.



Melissa started playing soccer when she was 7. She made her senior debut at age 14 and is regarded as an elite goalkeeper with intuitive reactions and astute judgement.

She is Captain for Melbourne Victory in the W-League.

Melissa currently holds both Australian Institute of Sport and Victorian Institute of Sport Scholarships.

Melissa was the first female to play for a Men’s Premier League Team, the Richmond Eagles in 2007.

She plays and is assistant coach with Box Hill Inter Women’s Football Club in the Women’s Premier League in Victoria. Melissa prides herself on helping younger players and children on developing their skills and being a role model for those young girls who would one day want to be a ‘Matilda’.

Team Achievements:

• Women’s Victorian Premier League – Champions 2001, 02,03,04,06,07,08,09
• Women’s National Soccer League – Victoria Vision 1996 – 2004
• Member of the 2003 World Cup Team and the 2004 Athens Olympic Team
• 2010 Asia Cup - first major trophy won by a National Football team (male or female) - Captain
• Matilda’s quarter finalists for the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup

Individual Achievements:

• 2010 Asia Cup - first major trophy won by a National Football team (male or female)
• Most capped female goal keeper in Australian History
• First female to play in Men’s Premier League in Australia for Richmond Eagles 2007/08
• Named ‘Players Player ‘ for Melbourne Victory 2009
• First signing for Melbourne Victory Women’s team in W – League 2008
• Goalkeeper of The Year for W – League Inaugural Season 2008
• Goalkeeper of the Year for Women’s Victorian Premier League – 2005
• Victoria Vision Women’s National League – Captain 2005 & 2004
• Women’s National Soccer League – Victoria Vision Most Valuable Player 2004