Building a Strong Future: Fostering Young Talent in Geelong's Female Football Scene

In recent years, female football has experienced a significant surge in popularity and recognition across Australia. Consequently, many female athletes have been challenged by societal barriers, limited access to resources, and outdated stereotypes. However, the landscape is rapidly changing, and it is essential to foster an inclusive environment that empowers young girls to pursue their football dreams. 

Geelong, in particular, is making big strides for young female footballers. With a firm commitment to equality and inclusivity, AFL Barwon is gearing up to host its first-ever female football competition for Under 9's within the Barwon region. The competition is set to follow after the upcoming U9's Female Football Come and Try and Auskick Graduation Event on Wednesday, the 26th of July, at GMHBA Stadium 4:30 to 5:30 pm.

In partnership with AFL Victoria and the Geelong Cats, the ‘Come and Try’ event aims to provide a unique opportunity for young football enthusiasts to participate in an on-field clinic conducted by AFL and AFLW players, followed by a Q&A session and Auskick graduation. Parents and coordinators will also be included in the fun and will have the opportunity to attend an information session held in the President's North room. 

Following the "Come and Try" night, the U9's female football competition in the Barwon region will kick off. Held at Highton Reserve, this six-week competition will commence on the 4th of August and run on Friday nights. As the youngest female football competition ever seen in the Barwon region, this event holds immense significance and will not only allow girls to explore their potential in sports but also paves the way for a brighter and more inclusive future for female football in Geelong. 

As Geelong embraces this exciting moment in promoting female participation in sport, it sends a powerful message to young girls that their dreams and aspirations are valued and supported. The importance of female empowerment and engagement in sports cannot be emphasised enough. Through participation in sports like football, young girls gain more than just athletic skill; they learn to embrace challenges, work as a team, and build their self-confidence. These traits extend beyond the field, positively influencing their personal lives, academics, and future careers.

Newtown & Chilwell’s Under 9 Girls coordinator, Maddy McMahon, is thrilled about the new Geelong Advertiser Under 9 competition, seeing it as an incredible initiative for young girls to engage in football. She appreciates the short duration of the competition as it allows girls to be introduced to the sport without the pressures of long-term commitment. Newtown currently lacks Under 10 and Under 12 girl’s teams, and they have plans to address this gap in the future. The new competition serves as a perfect opportunity to generate interest and support for establishing these teams in the club. Newtown & Chilwell have relied on social media and word of mouth in a bid to recruit players, hoping to reach as many interested girls as possible. Maddy believes the most exciting aspect of this new competition is the chance to introduce girls to football through a short and fun format. The approach is expected to create a positive experience for the girls and encourage them to further explore their passion for the sport.

Under 9's Female Football Come and Try and Auskick Graduation Event - Registration Details 

To ensure a seamless and enjoyable event for all attendees, we kindly request that all participants be registered through the provided link: https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/af76c1. Please ensure to select the option for 'Under 9 Girls Come and Try @ GMHBA Stadium' during the registration process.

It is important to note that due to room restrictions, we can accommodate only one parent and one child per registration. Additionally, only children actively participating in the clinic are allowed on the oval. Furthermore, the event will be covered by Cats and external media, adding to the excitement and significance of the day.

Author: Madison Old (AFL Barwon Intern)