Football Victoria (FV) are one of many sport organisations throughout the country which are implementing new initiatives to help work towards the 50-50 gender balance goal.

One of the main objectives is to allow for seamless transitions between age groups encouraging girls to continue playing and to aid this FV have been working on creating pathways between state leagues and NPL so young girls have a ‘top league’ to aim for.

FV have been constantly creating new approaches to help attract girls to the sport, proving successful through the ever-growing number of girls joining competitions throughout the state.

Football Victoria’s Executive Manager of Growth and Inclusion Karen Pearce tells Neos Kosmos about the new programs they plan to put in place to promote girls football and how you can help.

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What new initiatives are being put in place to help encourage girls to the sport?

With the FIFA Women’s World Cup on our doorstep in 2023 it is time to adapt our traditional model of football to include new social, non-traditional methods of engagement via our GO Football platform that will inspire and encourage new women and girls to our sport.

Our GO Girls program is testament to this strategy as it has been developed as a social solution for girls to enter our game in a supportive, fun way on an adaptive pitch. Bringing people together within a football environment that considers the unique needs, interests and abilities of a diverse set of women and girls can provide a social, emotional and physical richness to not only their health and welfare but also to our wider football community.

Our vast array of programs will strengthen the pathway for female players, coaches, referees, administrators and leaders to engage, develop and flourish at a level they desire to keep them in the game for longer and positively impact our football landscape.

What previous initiatives have been successful in recruiting girls to play soccer?

As the world game, we have always had a unique opportunity to leverage the interest of people in our sport to grow our game. Traditional football has always welcomed and provided access to play, however the participation rates of our women and girls has been disappointingly low in comparison to our men and boys.

Football Victoria has a target to reach 50:50 gender equity by 2027, so it is imperative we continue to drive our traditional game, reduce the churn and provide supportive, sustainable solutions that enable women and girls to engage however and whenever they wish.

What do you suggest clubs do in order to create a better environment for girls?

Football has traditionally been a very male-dominant domain which at times has impacted the ability of clubs to entice new female members to our sport. Often the competitive side of football has taken a priority at clubland, tailoring programs that suit the more active and skilled leaving little time for diversity of practice.

We have a commitment to work alongside our clubs and utilise their knowledge of their own environment, culture and challenges to ensure we understand the local barriers and enablers and build the right models in the right places.

Building the capacity of our clubs and providing equity in pitch and facility access is essential to shifting the existing culture. Marketing and awareness campaigns that showcase our women and girls will help shift the dial and increase community connectivity, safety and enjoyment for all.

Is there anything you suggest players and/or parents do to help attract more girls to the sport?

Lead positive conversations that enhance the visibility of women and girls as this will help increase awareness, interest and the uptake of more programs for women and girls. Embrace our ability to strengthen and grow as an enabler to gender equity.

How do you think that having sessions from Football Victoria and/or local community clubs in schools helps to attract girls to the sport?

Schools are a pivotal cog in our growth strategy, as it provides an environment to begin to learn, develop and grow a lifelong love of football. For those students who cannot play football outside of school hours, we will ensure access and opportunity within the school environment as a critical catalyst to advance gender equity.