Nepean Football Association extends comps to new age group

The Nepean Football Association (NFA) is proving that football really is the game for all with the introduction of a new over-30s women’s and over-45s men’s league in 2019.

The introduction of the new competition comes after a surge in participation from younger women as well as women who have played the game for years looking for a suitable competition to continue their playing careers.

There is an increasing demand for a more accessible competition from older men looking to stay involved in the game in a playing capacity as well.

Nepean Football Association General Manager Linda Cerone, fresh off being awarded Football Federation Australia’s Female Football Administrator of the Year award in 2018, said the new competitions would help to increase the participation rate in the region.

“The over-30s women’s competition is to be played on a Friday night. We’re hoping that by freeing up weekends our over-30s female players will flock to this new opportunity,” she said.

“We will also be offering an over-45s men’s competition on Saturday afternoons, a breakaway from the traditional Sunday football format for our over 45 male members.”

The over-30s women’s competition in particular is seen as another way of continuing to grow the women’s game in the Nepean area, following on from the previous work the association has undertaken under Cerone’s guidance.

“In 2018 we developed a Female Football Standing Committee to review the status of female football in the Nepean District, to bring ideas to the directors on how to improve all aspects of football for our female participants and officials in the future.

“One of the ideas to come out of this was that the association would hold a come and try day on February 16, where females new to the game either as players, coaches, officials or referees can come to one of our three venues in the Penrith, Blue Mountains or Hawkesbury area and have a go via our skill sessions or mini games, ask questions or just sit back and watch.

“It will also be an opportunity for existing female players to bring a friend that they’d like to introduce to our game.  We’re excited to bring this opportunity to the female contingent of the community.  We’ll have more information on locations on our website towards the end of January.”

Cerone said the association was also looking to add more referees to its ranks to build on the solid recruitment and development work that has been done over the last few seasons.

“Our referees enjoy a brilliant working relationship with the association, and we support them 100 per cent in their bid to not only increase numbers, but increase skills too,” she said.

“We have eight level 4 courses, two level 3 courses and one level 2 course planned for 2019.”

Prospective players looking for more information on their local clubs and the competitions offered by the association should head to: www.nepeanfootball.com.au.

Those interested in refereeing can go to: www.nepeanrefereesgroup.com.au for more information or check out the club listing below.