Girls United Program launched by Football NSW

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Football NSW’s launch of their inaugural Girls United program have recently taken place in Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

Funded by Football Australia’s ‘Football Your Way’ grant, the program aims to bring together females from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds, Migrant backgrounds, Refugees and those from low-socioeconomic backgrounds through a shared passion for playing football. It proved to be popular with many people getting involved.

Taking place at the Manly-Warringah Football Association’s community ground of Cromer Park, the stadium (which is home to NSW NPL 1 side Manly United FC) played host to a myriad of female footballers from a variety of unique backgrounds.

Whilst sessions are set to take place all across NSW in the coming months, the initial program at Cromer Park ran with a group who form part of a Tibetan Youth Group through the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS) organisation. STARTTS staff member and Community Leader Sonam Wangmo was the one to facilitate the connection between the group and the program.

“I see excitement, enthusiasm and most importantly Female Empowerment in this program,” Wangmo said in speaking to Football NSW.

“I also see great engagement from the parents which means they appreciate Girls United.”

The Girls United program is used as a way to support these groups as they grow up in Australia, whilst providing them with a fun and engaging social environment through an eight-week football course.

In addition to the girl’s program, boys and mixed football programs were kicked off in February under the ‘Community FC’ banner and were led by Football NSW and the Football United Coaches association.

For those parties whom are interested in hosting one of these programs please contact Charlotte Ercil at charlottee@footballnsw.com.au or on 02 8814 4459.

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Female Referee Mentor Program backed by Football Australia

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Image credit: Football Australia

Football Australia (FA) launched the program last week, aiming to champion the next generation of female referees through connections with experienced officials.

Investing in the future

Backed with investment from the Australian Government’s ‘Play Our Way’ grant, FA’s Ref Our Game framework will pair future referees with current and former A-League officials.

Through one-on-one mentorship, development opportunities and a network of experienced professionals, aspiring female referees will have unique insights into match officiating.

“Football Australia has always been a leader in inclusion, setting a global standard for female leadership and development,” said Football Australia CEO, Martin Kugeler, via press release.

“This program reflects a strong commitment to building a more inclusive and sustainable officiating pathway and creating a meaningful connections, increasing confidence and ensuring talented female referees feel supported to stay in the game.”

Furthermore, with the launch coinciding with Female Football Week (running from May 8 to May 18), the program represents a wider drive in Australia’s football landscape to become inclusive and supportive.

 

About the program

Focused on future referees within the 18-26 age bracket, the program will give participants a deep understanding of match officiating and equip them with both confidence and expertise.

Each participant will benefit from six mentor sessions, which will include individual feedback, guidance and insights into the life of a referee in elite sport.

Combining leadership, communication and a real sense of belonging, the program promises to nurture new female referees and, as a result, ensure football remains a sport in which men and women can participate side-by-side.

“The Albanese Government’s $200 million Play Our Way program is the most significant commitment ever to women and girls sporting programs and facilities and it’s making a real difference,” explained Minister for Sport, Anika Wells.

“We want to see more girls and women involved in sport at every level and supporting programs like this helps make that happen.”

Indeed, programs of this nature align ambition, professional networks, and a vision for improving the landscape.

This is what the industry needs to ensure long-term inclusivity and cohesion for the next generation.

Football NNSW Releases Infrastructure Strategies as Participation Growth Outpaces Facilities

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Northern NSW Football has unveiled bespoke infrastructure strategies for each of its seven member zones, providing an evidence-based roadmap for facility investment across the region as continued participation growth exposes critical gaps in the sporting infrastructure available to support it.

The Member Zone Infrastructure Strategies draw on data across participation rates, population growth and existing facility conditions to map what each zone has, what it needs and where investment will have the greatest impact. Identified gaps include drainage, lighting and inclusive changerooms – the foundational infrastructure that determines whether facilities are functional, safe and accessible year-round.

NNSWF Government Relations Manager Gary Fisher said the strategies represented a significant step toward smarter, more targeted investment across the region.

“By bringing together key data on participation, population growth and existing infrastructure, these strategies give us a stronger understanding of where the needs are greatest and where investment will have the most impact,” Fisher said. “Ultimately we want to create more inclusive and accessible environments for everyone involved in the game while building stronger, more sustainable clubs and communities for the future.”

Northern NSW Football has previously noted that participation across the region is at record levels and still rising, with women’s and girls’ football a significant driver of that growth. Infrastructure that was built for a smaller and less diverse participation base is increasingly unable to meet current demand, let alone accommodate future growth.

The strategies are also designed to strengthen NNSWF’s alignment with government funding priorities, providing the evidence base needed to support grant applications and long-term facility planning across all seven zones.

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