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Daughters & Dads

An award-winning, evidence-based program that strengthens the bond between fathers/father figures and their daughters aged 5 - 12 years through the uniting power of football.

Active and empowered

Young females often face more barriers when it comes to participating in sport including:

  • Limited opportunities and programs available
  • Lack of encouragement to participate
  • Lack of confidence to get involved

In collaboration with the University of Newcastle and the NSW Office of Sport, we are running football versions of their award-winning, community and evidence-based Daughters and Dads program.

The Daughters and Dads Football Program is an initiative under the NSW Football Legacy Program.

What is Daughters and Dads Football?

The Daughters and Dads Football program introduces football to fathers or father figures and their daughters through a range of physical and social activities.

The program aims to break the barriers to female participation and increase representation of women and girls in football.

The program will kick-off with a dads only information session to introduce the program and the importance of fathers and father figures in female growth and development.

Following the dads only session there will be eight weekly 90-minute program sessions where daughters and dads will spend quality time together.

Each session will include:

  • A 30-minute education session introducing the weekly theme
  • A 60-minute practical session

Following the completion of the program there will be an opportunity to connect with local clubs if your daughter is interested in continuing to play football in the summer or winter seasons.

Why get involved?

  • Be introduced to the uniting game of football in a social and judgement-free environment
  • Learn how to be your daughter’s ‘personal coach’ on and off the field
  • Have fun whilst boosting yours and your daughter’s physical, social, emotional and mental health
  • Learn key skills to help your daughter’s growth and development and how to overcome gender barriers
  • All fitness levels and abilities are welcome
  • Opportunity to connect with local football clubs to continue playing football

Daughters and Dads Term 4, 2024

HubDayStart dateEnd dateTimeVenueCapacity
CarlingfordFriday18/10/202413/12/20246pm to 7:30pmDon Moore Community Centre & North Rocks ParkRegister Now!
BurwoodSunday27/10/202415/12/20249:30am to 11amBurwood Girls High SchoolRegister Now!
Douglas ParkTuesday22/10/202417/12/20245L30pm to 7pmDouglas Park Sporting ComplexRegister Now!

Can’t find a program that suits you? Click here to express your interest.

About the program

Strengthen the bond you share with your daughter through physical and social activities! The program is for fathers and father figures (stepfathers, grandfathers, uncles, older brothers, or trusted family friends) and their daughters aged 5 years to 12 years.
Daughter registrationDad/Father figure registration

Fathers have an important influence on children’s health and wellbeing, however they are significantly under-represented in health promotion programs targeting parents.  A recent review of all parenting programs delivered internationally showed that only 6% of participants were fathers.

 

The Daughters and Dads program is indeed the first program to ever target the Daughter and Dad dyad.  There have been more than 20 Mother and Daughter programs.  Emerging research has also shown that children may independently and uniquely benefit from positive male involvement.

Parent-child programs have predominantly targeted and engaged mothers.  When programs are open to both parents, very few dads will sign up.  Daughters and Dads Active and Empowered is designed to specifically engage fathers or father figures only so that they are more likely to be involved.

Mums/partners are also encouraged to engage with the program home tasks, have discussion with their partner and daughter and are welcome to complete home activities with any of their other children.

Absolutely, we welcome her attendance with a significant male figure in her life.  This might be a step-father, grandfather, uncle, older brother or trusted family friend.

This program is designed to educate and motivate male role models as the agent for changing a girl’s physical activity levels, sport skills and social-emotional wellbeing.  Unfortunately, we are unable to accept daughters attending the program with their mothers.

We suggest dads attend with just one daughter at a time.  The program is designed for 1 on 1 interaction between dads and daughters to ensure they get the most benefit out of the program.  This allows the duo to effectively engage in the education and practical activities that have been timed and tested for 1:1.

 

Option 1:  Dad could participate in more than one session during the term, having a different daughter attend with him each night.

Option 2:  Another father figure(eg grandfather/uncle) could participate with one of the daughters in the same session as Dad and the other daughter.

Option 3:  The program will run again in the future so you could decide to attend with one daughter initially and then sign up the following year with the other daughter.

The program has been designed for only the dad and registered daughter to attend.  However all family members are encouraged to read through the program resources to gain an understanding of what is being learnt each week and how to best support dads and daughters to complete their home tasks.

Yes, there is no limit to how many programs you attend.