Female football in regional WA is set for a huge boost with a near $1 million investment.
Football West will receive $997,339 under the Federal Government’s Play Our Way program, which is designed to remove barriers to women and girls participating in sport and physical activity.
Football West will use the grant for its Our Game WA project, which has two components:
- Leading Our Game will develop a new female-only coaching course
- Growing Our Game will be a combination of initiatives that creates a female-friendly environment for women and girls
Football West Manager - Female Football & Advocacy Tash Rigby said: “This is incredible news and we can do so much good for female football with this kind of investment.
“Interest in female football right across the state is at an all-time high. We want to make it as easy as possible for women and girls to participate in our game and fulfil their potential, be it as players, coaches, match officials, and in any other capacity.
“It is extra special that the money will be invested in regional WA. Regional football is close to my heart – I am from Margaret River and know the passion around the state for football.”
Football West CEO Jamie Harnwell said: “We are delighted to have been successful in our application and thank the Australian Government for supporting our proposal.
“Our commitment to female football over the past decade is well documented and this grant will enable us to give more girls and women the opportunity to develop a love for the game.
“Regional football caters for around a quarter of our registrations and so it is great to invest funding of this kind across the State.
“We are currently hosting the 2024 Country Week carnival at Kingsway Reserve, which is our biggest celebration of regional football, so the timing of this announcement could not be better.”
Swan MP Zaneta Mascarenhas said: “Congratulations to Football West for its successful application for this grant.
“Based at the Sam Kerr Football Centre, Football West is creating an exciting environment for women and girls to pursue their dreams.
“I am confident Our Game WA will now have the resources to build capacity for regional clubs across WA to deliver a safe and inclusive environment for women and girls.
“Every person has the right to enjoy sport, in their own way and at the level that suits them.
“This grant will help more female athletes in WA to reach their full potential.”
Minister for Sport Anika Wells said: “Play Our Way is all about creating greater opportunities for women and girls to have an equal chance to get the fun, satisfaction and health benefits sport offers.
“The huge response to this grant opportunity, and the range of great project ideas, show that Australian communities want to be more supportive of women and girls.”
More information on the Play Our Way Grant Opportunity can be found here.