Inclusive women’s program arrives in Drysdale

A BELLARINE-based club and resident are looking to use soccer as a way of re-engaging the Drysdale community as the region emerges from COVID-19 affected times.

Drysdale Soccer Club is the latest local club on the Bellarine to jump aboard the inclusive Go Soccer Mums program that aims to accommodate local women seeking out an extra way to keep active.

Coordinator of the new Drysdale program, Cath Settler, was the former coordinator of a dozen GO Soccer Mums programs across the region prior to the pandemic.

She is again reigniting her passion of bringing women together through the sport she loves.

“As soon as I noticed that local football clubs were back in full swing I had received a message from Football Victoria seeing if I was available to run this program again,” Settler said.

“Following this, I had heard Drysdale was looking to start a program, so I obviously put my hand up.”

Settler believes some women need a forum to get active and the program provides more than just giving the sport a go.

“For me, it isn’t really about soccer,” she said.

“I know it sounds a bit cliché, but this program is more about helping women meet like-minded people out in the community, just getting out and moving.”

The program itself runs for six weeks and no experience is required to take part.

St Leonards-based club Bellarine Sharks were the first club in the region to start the program after pandemic restrictions eased.

Given the program runs in conjunction with the Geelong-based disability service provider Leisure Networks, the program is completely free, and all equipment is provided.

“Looking back to our programs pre-COVID-19, we had the most successful program across the whole of Victoria here on the Bellarine,” Settler said. “We had programs running here in Drysdale, over in Leopold, and down at Ocean Grove’s Surfside Waves with big numbers and repeat participants, it was fantastic to see and now I am trying to get it back to that level.”

The time of each session is midday each Tuesday starting on May 3 for six weeks at Drysdale Sports Precinct on Belchers Road.

Those interested in participating in the Drysdale GO Soccer Mums program are encouraged to call Cath on 0434 488 008.