FOREST Rangers Soccer Club had a shiny, special visitor last Friday morning.<\/p>\n
The FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup trophy was displayed at the club\u2019s Wendouree West home as part of the final leg of an international tour, and the Forest Rangers were the only regional Victorian club given the opportunity to host it.<\/p>\n
Players and members, young and old, were able to check out the precious silverware behind glass and have their photo taken with it.<\/p>\n
Forest Rangers treasurer Tracy Dean said it was hard to keep the event a secret, but seeing the players\u2019 excitement was worth the wait.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a once-in-a-lifetime for some of us,\u201d she said. \u201cBut some of those young girls might get to touch and hold that trophy as part of a winning World Cup team one day.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur women\u2019s participation has increased by 100 per cent, and that includes players, volunteers, and committee members.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re all about inclusion at this club, and we give a huge thank you from the bottom of our hearts for this opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
Football Victoria\u2019s executive manager of growth and inclusion Karen Pearce said having the Women\u2019s World Cup on the doorstep of young regional athletes is an inspiration, especially to girls.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur Matildas are an incredible bunch of women, and they\u2019ll do well,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019re getting a whole lot of people enthusiastic about participating in and belonging to football.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey don\u2019t have to play. They could join the committee or come and watch, but what does that do? It drives our game.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything we think about has a female lens on top of it. We\u2019re working with a whole lot of clubs in different ways to drive equity. We\u2019re aiming for 50\/50 by 2027.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Pearce said the major world game trophy had already been to 32 countries, and New Zealand was next on the itinerary.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe beautiful Forest Rangers got the last little hurrah in Australia at their wonderful facility,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FOREST Rangers Soccer Club had a shiny, special visitor last Friday morning. The FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup trophy was displayed at the club\u2019s Wendouree West home as part of the final leg of an international tour, and the Forest Rangers were the only regional Victorian club given the opportunity to host it. Players and members, […]<\/p>\n