Grant to help kick-start new women’s soccer tournament

THERE was great buzz at Village Park on Sunday as Barwon Heads Soccer Club gathered to celebrate being awarded a Growing Football Community Grant.

The club received almost $5,000 in funding toward promoting women and girls in soccer, according to president Bec Dalton.

She said the Hammerheads intended to put the money toward female coaching, new equipment and hosting a new women’s tournament, featuring Bellarine teams.

“We are planning a summer cup, which will be a one-day pre-season competition where we invite other clubs to join.”

Ms Dalton said the modified tournament would feature five or seven-a-side teams and include under-13, under-15 and senior women.

The Hammerheads are among 239 community clubs and associations that have received funding through the Football Australia and Commonwealth Bank initiative that was launched following the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia in 2023.

“Last year our women’s teams and junior girls grew a lot, I guess after the Matildas’ success,” Dalton said.

“We just want to keep that momentum going because it’s so important for young girls to be involved in sports and team sports.”

Ms Dalton said the club was also thriving with its female participation off the pitch with women making up more than 50 per cent of the committee.

She said it was important to have female role models for the club’s younger players.

“We often had the junior girls coming to watch the senior women on a weekend [last season], they loved watching.

“As if they’re watching the Matildas, they’re watching their senior players, that was really nice.”

Barwon Heads has under-7, under-9, under-11, under-13, under-15, a senior women’s team and a Little Kickers program.

Soccer season starts in late April and the Hammerheads will have a come and try day in mid-March.

BY BRIAN ALLEN