Heather Reid

Heather Lynne Reid AM is a former Australian football administrator and an advocate for gender equity, diversity and inclusion in sport, particularly in the world game of football. From 2018 to 2021, she was a member of the Football Australia Board.

Personal

Reid was born in Goulburn, New South Wales in 1956. Her parents emigrated from Edinburgh, Scotland to Australia in 1955 with her elder brother and sister. In 1974, she moved to Canberra to undertake a secretarial course at the TAFE college. She completed a Graduate Diploma in Sports Management at University of Canberra in 2007 and in 2012 completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors program. In 2015, Reid was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Canberra. In November 2016, Reid won a defamation case against Stan Dukic who wrote Facebook posts over a two-year period alleging she was incompetent and had misappropriated money.

Reid was appointed as a mentor on FIFA's women's leadership program and an administration instructor in 2016. In November 2018, she was elected to the Football Federation of Australia (FFA) Board with over 90 per cent of ballots cast in her favour. In January 2019, Reid took indefinite leave as FFA Vice-President whilst undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Reid had incorrectly implied that Stajcic had been sacked for misconduct, but apologised when the FFA distanced itself from her remarks.

In February 2021, Reid was voted off the Football Australia Board following an extraordinary general meeting

Women's sport Reid has been a strong advocate for gender equity, women in sport and mentoring. She has held various volunteer roles as well as the following professional positions: Director and CEO of the ACT Association for Women in Sport and Recreation (1990-1993) and National Executive Director of Womensport Australia (1994-1998). Since 2021, Reid has been a Director on the Board of Women Onside.

Honours

1986 – Life Member, ACT Women's Soccer Association 2006 – Australian Sports Commission's Margaret Pewtress Memorial Award for her contribution to women in sport 2014 – ACT Honour Walk Recipient 2015 – Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to sport administration, particularly football, in the Canberra region, and as an advocate for gender equity in sport 2017 – Honorary doctorate from the University of Canberra for distinguished service to sport administration, football and as an advocate for gender equality 2022 - Inaugural inductee to University of Canberra Sport Walk of Fame. 2023 - Inaugural recipient of the University of Canberra’s Frank S. Pyke Alumni Award for sports studies graduates who have made a significant contribution to the advancement of Australia’s sports industry. 2025 - ACT Sport Hall of Fame Associate Member 2026 - ACT Senior Australian of the Year.