Ross Kendall
Local teams are encouraging more female players to join the game as Northern NSW Football pushes to make the 2021 season the biggest yet for women’s football across its seven member zones.
Football Far North Coast has a 27 per cent female player base, the highest percentage across northern NSW, on the back of a 26 per cent increase in female participation across the region over the last five years, and it wants to keep growing.
‘Women’s and girls’ participation and opportunities are a strategic priority for Northern NSW Football,’ Northern NSW Football head of football development Peter Haynes said.
‘The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup looming on the horizon gives us a motivation to push hard to build a legacy that comes from hosting such a prestigious international event.
‘More infrastructure, more appropriate facilities, and subsequently more participation are key objectives,’ he said.
In the lead up to International Women’s Day and in conjunction with Female Football Week the Mullumbimby Brunswick Valley Football Club (MBVFC) held a Football Fun Day for 6–15-year-old girls on 5 March.
The club runs girls’ mini-roos where players only have to compete against other girls. It also has U/12 and U/14 girls’ teams, as well as two senior teams.
‘New recruits, no matter their age or skill level, are always welcome to come down and join us,’ the club’s female development officer Sharon Scriven said.
Ocean Shores FC has a women’s division two team ready to go for the upcoming season.
‘Women’s and girls’ numbers are good across the board,’ vice-president Marc Patton said.
The Byron Rams are also looking for a couple of extra players, whether new to the game or experienced players, in their girls U/14 and U/16 sides.
The 2021 season kicks off from Friday 26 March.
It is kick-off time and each of these players has a goal to put their foot to the ball and kick a goal like a girl.