Girls participation rates grow in soccer competition

A GROWING number of girls are boosting participation rates by almost 10 per cent across the Football Far North Coast competition.

Female participation numbers have been higher than the state average for the past two seasons.

Girls’ teams from the age divisions of five to 11 years-old have already increased by nine per cent this year.

Jamilla Rankin came through the junior ranks at Eureka and has gone on to represent the Matildas.

The 21-year-old now plays in Germany and was part of the Matildas squad when they played Korea Republic in Newcastle earlier this month.

She said there are more opportunities for girls now after she grew up mainly playing in the boys competition “I got into it pretty early, around five to six-years-old. I played with boys for a lot of my younger years. There weren’t too many opportunities for girls’ teams nearby,” she said.

“Then it got to the point where if I wanted to pursue football, I would have to move to a bigger city with more opportunities.”

Dunoon has had success with its junior girls teams in recent years, while Alstonville attracts hundreds of competitors to its all-female Oceania Cup each year.

It will return in October with age divisions from under-10s through to open women.

The Far North Coast competition is supported by a long-term partnership with Newcastle Permanent.

Newcastle Permanent Ballina branch manager David Parker is looking forward to another big season across the competition.

“We’re very proud of our partnership with NNSWF and Football Far North Coast and the joy football brings to thousands of youngsters each year,” Parker said.

“Friends, fun and fitness – football has it all and we love seeing the smiles and the achievements on the field every season.”

Newcastle Permanent has already distributed 11,500 free footballs to junior players across Northern NSW as part of registrations this season.

To register or find a club, head to footballfarnorthcoast.com.au