Female Football Week unites at VSP
Valentine Sports Park hosted over 60 girls from schools across Sydney joined in for fun football festivities to inspire women from diverse backgrounds to play football in conjunction with Football NSW, Football United and Sydney FC.
Participants from Penrith, Liverpool, Fairfield, Parramatta, Matraville, Campbelltown and Lakemba all mixed teams to enjoy team building activities and a mini football festival.
Special guests were welcomed in the morning to inspire the young girls including former Westfield Matildas and Vice President of the Asian Football Confederation Moya Dodd, Multicultural NSW CEO Mr Hakan Harman, Football United Founder and CEO Anne Bunde-Birouste and Macarthur Rams Women’s PS4 NPL NSW Reserve Grade Coach and former Football Untied coach, Areti Theodorou.
The event also welcomed Sydney FC W-League Players Gabe Marzano and Olivia Price who joined in the day’s activities. The event provided opportunities for female participants to connect with girls from different communities, play teambuilding games and football games and be inspired by role models.
Sydney FC Chief Executive Officer Tony Pignata welcomed the opportunity to be involved in the female football festival.
“Sydney FC Is delighted to support this initiative. Women have a hugely important role to play in football both on and off the pitch. Those who unite communities and promote inclusion in football also need to be applauded, and this is a fantastic partnership by Football United, Creating Chances and Football NSW to ensure that football is a sport for all.”
Football NSW was excited in the opportunity to provide football to these participants with our vision to increase female participation in every Association across the state. Within Sydney Football NSW is taking the opportunity to increase female football participation through activations over the next week.
Football NSW Girls and Women’s Development Officer Servet Uzunlar was pleased with the talent of football on the day.
“It was a fantastic way to celebrate football and see communities come together to enjoy the world game. This is just one of many activations across NSW during Female Football week and we hope for females to get involved in more upcoming activations’
Football United Program Manager Assmaah Helal was delighted with the event.
“We’re excited to build on our partnership with Football NSW and Sydney FC to celebrate women in football.
“The essence of Football United has always been our capacity to harness the power of football to unite diverse communities, create a level playing field and promote inclusion and this partnership is a fabulous opportunity to share this message.”
Football United and Creating Chances believes in the importance of providing opportunities for young women to interact with role models, particularly on a day that celebrates the achievements of women.
Football United’s Strong Women, Strong World initiative focuses on building the capacity of young women from diverse communities with the skills required to navigate life effectively and contribute to the wider Australian community as agents of positive social change.
If you are interested in playing football after Female Football Week visit http://www.playfootballnsw.com.au/
