Mill Park Soccer Club (MPSC) has shown its commitment to growing its women and girls numbers, making registration free for the second successive year.
The Club has seen record numbers across the board this season and will look to build on their State League 2 South-East Women's Championship in 2023.
MPSC President Jimmy Christou said it was “amazing” to think the club has jumped from two all-female teams to seven in the space of two years.
“Last year we had four girls' teams, the year before we had two and I know that was a canceled COVID-19 year, but we started with two teams and I think that is a great achievement,” he said.
“We’ve gone from 22 to 25 all up, which is a club record and that’s pretty much based on the facilities that we have got.
“We have had to knock back a lot of kids unfortunately and had to shut down registrations a couple of weeks ago. When you’ve only got two grounds and were open four nights a week for training, unfortunately, that’s all we can hold.”
Christou explained the Club’s senior women's side earning promotion in 2022 through finishing first in State League 2 South-East played a big part in seeing female participation rise once again.
“Having all the girls attend and juniors come to training and the games made them feel a part of it and would have contributed to the high retention this season.
“Even a lot of the new ones this year have brought their friends from school so they are talking to each other and the word is getting around about how good how female football program is.”
Mill Park has not just provided free registration for female players but has ensured they are afforded the same luxuries as male players.
“We are very inclusive at the club, half our committee is female and we have appointed a women’s ambassador who takes care of all the girls' teams,” Christou said.
“Whatever the senior men get, the senior women get as well, we are trying to do everything on an even scale.
“We are in division one this year and have attracted a few girls from the VPLW to come down and again friends have talked to friends and they have come and signed with us.
“They are just the basic things we are doing and it seems it is working.”
Since Mill Park has approached their football programs on an even scale, Christou said the Club has created a good family culture.
“We try to have everyone in the clubrooms on a Tuesday and a Thursday and have a feed and we everyone mingling and having a great time.
“It might be for free, and it is costing us money but to have the players, parents, and supporters there buying food and drink generates revenue for us.
“We have also seen Razor RV Accessories come on board to sponsor our female program, and they are back on board this season.”
Christou insisted the Club was aiming for continual growth in its female program, hoping to align with Football Victoria’s target of a 50/50 gender balance by 2027.
“We want to keep going and reach FV’s goal, as long as we are growing year by year we will be happy with that to reach the end goal of 50/50.