A new generation of young soccer players are kicking goals in an inaugural all-girls competition. Photo: Far South Coast Football Association Inc Facebook.
When soccer returned to the Far South Coast this year, an all-girls competition kicked off for the first time.
Far South Coast Football Association (FSCFA) committee member and representative convener Peter Rees said they were inspired by the success of the Matildas in 2023 as they ran deep into the Women’s World Cup draw.
“These nine-year-old girls are dreaming of being a Matilda,” he said.
“We love that and want to encourage those dreams, because they’re aspiring to something positive.”
To help Far South Coast talent on their way and to increase participation rates of girls in soccer, the FSCFA launched an all-girls competition in April.
“You’ve got tag, rugby league and AFL as well, who initiated girls’ competitions a few years ago. There’s more girls coming out and playing sport, which is fantastic.”
Players from the association’s clubs – from Bega, Bemboka, Eden, Mallacoota, Merimbula, Pambula, Tathra and Wolumla – were able to join the all-girls competition.
“[Clubs have] always had girls playing, but not in their own right,” Mr Rees said.
“In a mixed competition, the boys sometimes just go ahead without the girls or don’t include them … they can feel a little bit intimidated.”
The new competition sits alongside the existing mixed teams, with the girls able to choose to play in the mixed or all-girls competitions.
In the latter, the games are played on Wednesday and Friday nights as teams from across three age divisions take to the field.
“In our under-9s competition, we have five teams. In our under-12 competition, we have six teams. And under-15 competition, we had five teams,” he said.
“We didn’t expect the success that we have had. Some clubs didn’t have any girls playing in certain age groups.
“Since we’ve offered the girls-only competition, there has been huge interest.”
While several parents have taken on coaching roles, Mr Rees said seeing older girls start coaching was particularly rewarding.
“They’re such positive role models for these younger girls, who see a girl who is older coaching them,” he said.
“These girls are giving back and being role models without really realising it [the impact].”
While the 2025 soccer season has started, any girls keen on joining in 2026 should contact their local club or message the FSCFA on Facebook.
“We’ll have the girls’ competition again next year. [It will] have probably the same age groups initially, before we expand,” Mr Rees said.
The FSCFA is committed to the competition for 2026, with clubs already looking to enter teams when it returns. Mr Rees also said a priority was ensuring the girls had equal access to facilities, such as changerooms and other infrastructure.
“It won’t be so [much like] stepping into the unknown next year. We’ll know exactly what’s going on,” he said.
“The clubs will know what to do … the infrastructure has to be there for the clubs to cater for more teams.
“There’s a lot to build on, with these first little steps.”
