Busselton City FC working towards girls-only soccer program

Busselton City Football Club has been awarded a CommBank grant to support its new girls-only soccer program in primary schools in Busselton and the wider South West region. Announced by Football Australia, the funding will be directed to the eight local clubs which form the Leeuwin Naturaliste Junior Soccer Association which is working to build this girls-only program. The Busselton City Football Club is aiming is to implement the LNJSA’s new program in primary schools targeting girls aged between 5 and 11 . Junior coordinator for the club Ulli Niedermeyer said ultimately the initiative’s aim was to establish pathways for young girls to emulate the success of the Matildas during the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup. “Our goal is to create an inclusive and supportive environment where girls can learn, play and thrive — breaking down gender stereotypes and fostering a love for sports from a young age,” he said. “At Busselton City FC, a well-established community club, we feel that it is our responsibility to enable young girls to play this exciting game. “Once our coaches have established a positive and trusting relationship, we will invite the girls to our pre-season try out at our club. “We are determined to improve the situation for the future of girls in sports.” The program will involve regular weekly training sessions conducted by experienced, qualified coaches. Head of Women’s Football, World Cup Legacy, and Inclusion at Football Australia Sarah Walsh said they were “delighted” to recognise the efforts of grant recipients in championing initiatives to drive the attraction and retention of women and girls in football. CEO of Football Australia James Johnson added by supporting clubs and associations at the grassroots level, the team were “laying the foundation” for a brighter future for women’s football across the country. CommBank general manager Dianne Everett said she is excited to see the funding reach local communities. “We are thrilled to see the first round of grant recipients take to the field and change the game for girls and women across the nation,” she said. “Grassroots sport is a cornerstone of many communities, and supporting equal participation in sport will ensure a brighter future for communities across Australia. “We are proud to partner with Football Australia to help play our part in forming the CommBank Matildas of tomorrow.” For those in need of hitting the pitch sooner, the LNJSA will host a junior girls (U8-U16) five-a-side tournament from late April. The tournament will consist of three 20-minute games on small fields working with simplified rules. Head to www.lnjsa.com.au for more information.