Football Victoria (FV) is celebrating a significant surge in female participation, fueled by the excitement of the record-breaking FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™.
As of May 3, 2024, FV has experienced a remarkable 29% increase in female player registrations compared to the previous year, with a total of 20,838 participants. This surge is a significant step towards FV's goal of achieving a 50/50 gender balance by 2027.
The success of initiatives like Female Football Week (FFW) is evident in the 55% rise in registered club events during this impactful week. Clubs across Victoria hosted events took to the field in purple accents and championed the conversation for females in sports.
Sue Collins, FV's Head of Equity, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the community's resounding support in advancing gender equity within football.
"Every time I saw purple, I was reminded of the impact of the women's and girl’s programs across our clubs and how far we have come. There is so much passion, determination, and momentum everywhere, there is no question 50/50 equity by 2027 is within our reach," she said.
The 2024 Female Football Week was a vibrant celebration of women's football, highlighted by a wide range of engaging events, here are some of the highlights:
Liberty A-League Women’s Grand Final:
- The clash between Melbourne City FC and Sydney FC drew an enthusiastic crowd.
- Pre-match clinics engaged 200 young players, with 22 lucky girls acting as mascots.
- AAMI Park witnessed a massive turnout, marking one of the largest A-League Women's Grand Final crowds in history.
Truganina Lions SC:
- From no women and girls' players in 2022, Truganina Lions now proudly boasts four girls' teams.
- Their 'Mini Roos + Mums session' on Mother’s Day was a heartwarming celebration, allowing mothers to join in the football fun.
Ringwood City SC:
- Organized a range of engaging activities, including a 'Mini all girls World Cup', a Mother’s Day lunch celebration, and a creative colouring/design competition.
- Girls showcased their support by attending the Liberty A-League Grand Final in their Ringwood City SC gear, adorned with FFW's signature purple ribbon.
Bendigo Amateur Football League (BASL):
- Hosted an inspiring all-female fixtured round, featuring 34 matches and over 1,000 dedicated players.
- Each match highlighted a player of the match, concluding with a memorable presentation night recognizing the remarkable contributions of females in the football community.
These initiatives not only elevate the profile of women's football but also serve as catalysts for empowering and inspiring young girls to actively participate in and contribute to the sport they love.
We celebrate our Female Football Week award winners along with their stories. Whilst we only elevate five winners, every nominee highlights the incredible people who are the backbone of our game.
FFW Player of the Year: Remi Simunic
FFW Coach of the Year: Madeline Breakspear
FFW Referee of the Year: Catherine Hofmann
FFW Volunteer of the Year: Odilia Wijburg
FFW Community Champion of the Year: Megan Drysdale
These initiatives not only elevate the profile of women's football but also serve as catalysts for empowering and inspiring young girls to actively participate in and contribute to the sport they love.
FV would like to thank everyone for getting involved and celebrating Women and Girls in their football communities.