Hosting the FIFA Women's WorldCup 2023™ will see South Australia focus on profound change for women's football and sport more broadly. The tournament will be used as a platform to unlock investment both on and of the playing field. It will drive gender equity, capitalise on participation opportunities across all age groups and recognise the significant contribution women make in reading the game. Our efforts will create a lasting legacy for football, women and South Australia.
Football South Australia has developed the Legacy Plan that will focus on three key areas:
- Unlocking Infrastructure
- Grow participation
- Increase leadership
Football South Australia would like to provide the football family with the below update as to what we have been working on over the past few weeks.
To view the whole Legacy Plan please visit www.leavealegacy.com.au.
Summary
Infrastructure
- Working with several councils on securing additional resources to support the school program as it expands.
- Facilities Report-Process to start in the coming weeks in collaboration with clubs to identify facilities that require upgrades and additional space required.
Participation
- Partnering with Paralympics Australia to increase the opportunities for athletes with a disability and Football SA will be incorporating blind football into the school holiday program and beyond.
- Expansion in the school program after successful pilot program in Playford for years 9 & 10, program will expand to years 3-12 in 2023.
- Expansion in the school program incorporating new areas in the South & West of Adelaide and in the Eastern Regional areas.
- Walking Football Program.
Leadership
- Additional coaching & referee training for Women
- Legacy Leadership Breakfast series in place with the first event taking place on the 1 year to go day along with the 1 year to go carnival. More info to follow
Detailed Update
Coaching and Referee Courses
Back in February, female coaching course was held at West Beach Shores Football Centre in partnership with Adelaide Jaguars, 50 participants were registered for this course. In the same week, Football SA hosted a female referee course with 23 people registering for the course. Another course is planned for July.
Northern Schools Girls Football League Launch
The Northern Schools Girls Football League is a pilot competition for females in years 10-12, this currently is run at Ridley Reserve as part of the City of Playford’s $20k investment into the FIFA Women’s World Cup Footall SA Legacy Plan. 5 foundation schools compete in the league (St. Columba, Xavier College, Gleeson College, Trinity College and Parafield Gardens HS) with 96 girls registered. We have had interest from 7 more schools who wish to enter the league in 2023 and schools have agreed to expand the age groups from years 3-12. With key people driving this in schools it looks like we can significantly grow the number of teams and participants for next year.
Western School League
Football SA will look to replicate the model that has been successful in Playford and will create a league in the western suburbs. We have started the process by contacting 5 local schools, have key people in this schools who are willing to help us drive a pilot competition for Term 4. Football SA will look to meet with schools in the next few weeks to drive interest and talk through logistics of the competition. The model proposed will include playing opportunities for primary and secondary schools.
Southern School League
Noarlunga & Districts Junior Soccer Association (NDJSA) are willing to work collaboratively with Football SA to launch a female only competition in the southern suburbs, with a look to implement the league with a pilot in term 4. NDJSA is an association mainly made up of primary and secondary schools so is a great opportunity to expand this to a female league.
Participation events
500 days to go – Football SA held 500 days to go event inviting all women’s clubs to be involved in this major event. With hundreds of girls involved and making the 500 in the middle of the pitch before WNPL kicked off. Girls loved it and it was a success.
1 year to go – In the July School holidays Football SA will be holding a participation event on Wednesday 20th July, which is 1YTG until the women’s world cup. Final details to be revealed in the coming days.
Walking Football
We have started a Walking Football social group, they come together on a Monday at the State Centre. The group has grown each week which is fantastic, they play on the 5 asides from 6pm-7pm. We aim to continue to grow this and start a social competition. Female clubs have been in touch this week to discuss the possibility of entering a team in a social league for Walking Football, will look to launch this in July/August.
