Then & Now – Libby Loveday

As part of Female Football Week, we are proud to celebrate the incredible journey of Libby Loveday and highlight the pathways available for girls and women within football.

Libby’s football journey began at Helensburgh Thistles, where she played her first official match in the U8s on 14 April 2012 and was immediately recognised as Player of the Match. From those early beginnings, Libby quickly developed through the club’s female pathway, achieving success along the way, including winning the U12 Girls Minor Premiership and Grand Final in 2016.

That same year, Libby became part of the Football South Coast Girls Football Academy and continued to excel, later being awarded Junior Female Club Player of the Year at Helensburgh Thistles in 2017.

In 2018, Libby became a foundation player for South Coast Flame, helping establish the club as a dominant force in the early years of the Girls Conference League and contributing to the foundations of the club’s future senior success.

Today, Libby continues to make a major impact both on and off the field. She is now a Football Australia/AFC B Licence coach and was recognised as the Football NSW Female Youth League Coach of the Year for 2025 — an award acknowledging her leadership and influence across the NSW youth system.

Having first started coaching back at Helensburgh through the Mini Thistle program, Libby has progressed through the coaching pathway and now leads elite youth teams at South Coast Flame, including her role as Head Coach of the U15 Girls Youth League squad in 2026.

Alongside her coaching achievements, Libby remains a key senior player for South Coast Flame as captain and starting centre back and was part of the club’s historic 2024 League One Grand Final appearance.

From local junior footballer to senior leader, coach, and role model within the women’s game, Libby’s journey is an inspiring example of the opportunities football can provide.