Eastern Suburbs FA on the road to improving gender parity
Eastern Suburbs Football Association (ESFA) will use the $11,000 NSW Football Legacy Fund grant to improve gender parity and increase female participation throughout its clubs.
ESFA aims to increase the number of female participants throughout the numerous clubs in the district – from football players to coaches – as interest picks up as a result of the upcoming 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which is set to kick off at Sydney’s very own Stadium Australia.
Gender parity is an important step in the progress of football and the Eastern Suburbs Football Association is striving towards making that a reality.
“We want all members across all of our clubs to have access to the same opportunities, regardless of their gender and how they identify – to participate and excel in football. We foresee the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup to drive female engagement within the sport and we want to do our part in accommodating that,” said Caroline Oaks-Ash, Competitions Manager, Eastern Suburbs Football Association.
ESFA currently has a target of 50:50 male-to-female participation parity by 2027.
“Our ultimate goal at ESFA is to be the benchmark for Female Football in NSW,” said Caroline Oakes-Ash, Competitions Manager, Eastern Suburbs Football Association.
“Broadening Female Football opportunities and developing equal opportunities is one of the ESFA’s strategic pillars and long-term goals. We have commenced working towards steps in achieving participation parity, including parity in prize money for the Women’s Premier League, and our main focus will be on female football development and excellence.”
About the Legacy Fund Participation and Infrastructure Grants
The NSW Government recently announced a $3.1 million investment into more than 100 grassroots football projects across the state to help improve facilities and run programs to boost player participation as part of the NSW Football Legacy Fund.
The investment is intended to broaden female player options and increase participation opportunities, whilst enhancing football facilities and supporting infrastructure. This fund also aims to assist clubs in developing football programs at all levels through the construction or upgrading of community facilities, leadership, and development initiatives.
As Australia prepares to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023, strengthening the football community in NSW is key to matching the unprecedented level of interest in female football. The NSW Football Legacy Fund seeks to ensure it has the facilities and programming to match the buzz that the FIFA World Cup is generating for Australia’s next generation of future Matilda’s
More information about the NSW Football Legacy Fund is available here.
This web story is supported by the NSW Government under the NSW Football Legacy Program.
