WOMEN’S football in Sunraysia is looking to capitalise on the surging popularity of the game to ensure it prospers into the future.
This comes after the competition’s recent Future of Female Football Forum, which gave a platform for open communication for stakeholders on how the women’s world game can develop locally.
With the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup having raised the game’s profile to a level never seen before, the forum was a discussion base for how the region can capitalise on that popularity.
Talent on the pitch isn’t in short supply in the S-League, but having only three senior women’s teams in 2023 is less than ideal for the sustainability of the competition.
“These are really exciting times, though, and clearly there’s desire from within the community to help take the women’s game forward,” Football Federation Sunraysia executive Roxanne Jones said.
“The forum was really a chance for everyone from club executives to player, coaches, ex-players and even parents and general supporters to raise whatever concerns they might have and to talk through potential barriers to participation.
“It was really positive stuff for everyone to get out there and to have so many communicating about it
“There were a number of people I hadn’t seen before in my time here so I believe the interest is definitely there in helping to build this women’s competition.
“As a result we’ve got a few things we now need to investigate and see if they are viable options or not
“Obviously it’s not as easy as just putting more teams in.
“There’s so many other things that come with it as well.”
A need for improved pathways from junior to senior level, a lack of resources and volunteer power for some clubs, and game-day logistics have all been raised as potential issues.
Jones said junior girls’ programs were strong but it hadn’t always translated to the senior level.
“Currently we have Under 16 girls and then after that it’s a jump straight into senior women, which is a pretty big gap physically,” she said.
“The Under 16 girls is also currently a half-pitch nine-a-side competition so we think that will need to change into an 11-a-side full-pitch division to make the transition easier.
“There are other players who have thought about trying the sport too but with no experience it’s a big ask for them to play in the seniors straight away.
“There’s also some clubs that have really strong female participation but others not so much so they would need coaches, resources and volunteers as well.”
Football Federation Sunraysia have been working with Mildura Council regarding improved lighting at Aero Ovals, which could allow for more night games.
However, game-day logistics would need to be worked on if more women’s teams joined the competition.
Offering participation programs during the off-season and when the A-Leagues are in full swing has also been discussed.
Jones said the outstanding S-League senior women’s grand final between Mildura City and Nichols Point, which was decided by penalty shootout, was a great indication of the upside of women’s football locally.
“That grand final was amazing to watch,” she said.
“Both teams were brilliant and worked their backsides off.
“If that doesn’t prove how good the women’s game can be in Sunraysia, I don’t know what does.”
