The annual NZ Football Girls & Women’s Month was a hit in our WaiBOP Region again this year. As WaiBOP Women’s Development Officer, I decided to focus on a key word this month as I journeyed across the region to tautoko/support schools and clubs as they delivered their events – this key word being ‘Fun’.

This meant ensuring that all participants and facilitators had fun and this also gave me the excuse to be a big kid again, while showcasing, inspiring and celebrating together with our clubs and schools what it means to be a female in the game we all love.

We had 13 clubs, 37 schools and a whopping total of 1,119 participants participate in incredible Girls & Women’s Month activities across our Waikato and BOP region. Participants took part in events ranging from Wahine Referee Workshops, Coach Education, GK Coaching Sessions, Taupo Janine Giddy Senior Women’s tournament, football festivals, have-a-go days, seminars on the female athlete body, easter egg hunts, referee fun flag rotations and my personal favourite – a water slide!

We were also very fortunate to have special guests Emma Roleston (Football Fern) and former Fern/local WaiBOP Legend, Sarah McLaughlin attend events hosted by Blue Rovers and Western Utd.

We are incredibly fortunate to have a whole month dedicated to showcasing and inspiring those involved in the female game at all levels, whether it be playing, coaching, administration and refereeing. It provides schools and clubs with the opportunity to grow numbers in the female game at all levels and encourages all advocates of the game to celebrate the mahi that they are doing. A lot of our clubs and schools in our community are already doing amazing things for our kohine and wahine in the game and it is important that this is continued to be celebrated, valued and advocated for throughout the year.

We have worked hard in our region to include and introduce different ways of engaging females in the game – working closely with our amazing Wahine Referee Coordinators and GK Coach to deliver different and fun aspects of the game for participants to have a go at, in a fun and safe environment.

Thanks to NZ Football who provided us us with fantastic giveaways and signage (the photo frame being a favourite among many) to help us to celebrate this special month.

- Nat Broadhead - Woman's Federation Development Officer

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