The inaugural Perth International Football Cup wound up on Sunday with a quality double-header at HBF Park.
Paris Saint Germain claimed the trophy after they overcame Manchester City 1-0 in the final. Earlier, Leicester City beat West Ham 5-2 in the third-place play-off.
It was a great day for the 15,000 fans who got to witness superstars like Mary Fowler, Lauren Hemp, Alanna Kennedy and Marie-Antoinette Katoto at close hand.
There had been more excitement earlier in the week when Football West held a Club Changer Experience for clubs involved with the Football Australia Club Development Program.
Club Changer Lead Karen Hennessy and Manager – Female Football & Advocacy Tash Rigby hosted the event at Dorrien Gardens.
It provided an unforgettable experience for more than 40 WA youngsters who were invited to take part in a MiniTillies session run by Leicester’s Matildas defender Courtney Nevin and England’s Euro 2022 hero and Man City forward Chloe Kelly.
At the same time, representatives from three of the overseas teams conducted a Q&A session with local Club Changer clubs.
PSG Deputy Director of Sport Sabrina Delannoy, Leicester manager Amadine Miquel and Man City Head of Performance Services Emma Deakin covered a wide range of topics including the visibility of women in coaching roles, the amount of ACL injuries suffered by female players and the importance of a career outside of sport.
“I think it's important that little girls see that in football there are many jobs [available] where they can be involved,” Miquel said.
Deakin agreed, adding: “I've got two little girls and it’s super important that they see themselves represented and that they see role models in the female game, whether that's a player or a coach, a physio.”
Delannoy, a former France international, expressed how important it was for young players to keep their options open.
She said: “I would like to say first, keep your happiness – you are lucky when you play football, keep that. Keep the pleasure of playing with friends. I also think it's very important to have the second option.
“I decided to have another network, not only my soccer team and the staff and everything. It was important to be involved with another project because it was my balance to perform on the pitch.”
All of the clubs involved in last week's Club Changer Experience have achieved a 1-Star CLub Changer rating or above.
Club Changer is Football Australia’s Club Development Program which aims to protect and enhance our clubs, make them stronger and more resilient, lead them in building welcoming and inclusive cultures, and educate them on positive environments for players, coaches, volunteers, and officials while planning for long term viability and success.
For more on Club Changer, including how to get your club involved, visit HERE or email Football West Club Changer Lead Karen Hennessy.
