Orara Valley Football Club will provide opportunities for its female participants after being awarded a grant from the NSW Football Legacy Fund.
28% of members at Orara Valley FC are female, with the club looking to increase the number of female participants over the coming years.
The Orara Valley FC will use the fund towards a project that will improve the player experience by improving coach education and purchasing new equipment.
“Our club is beyond grateful to have been given the opportunity to improve our coaching development programs as well as using the grant to update equipment - both of which are integral to the player experience,” says Stan Russ, President, Orara Valley FC.
“The $5,500 we received from the Football Legacy Fund will not only improve our player retention, but entice potential players to join the game.”
“The programs we’re seeking to introduce will target recruitment of new players, whilst also providing a better and safer environment for all to play in,” continues Russ.
The grant will also be used to engage the community by providing free school holiday football clinics, and a women's only introduction (re-introduction) football program.
The first of Orara Valley’s programs kicked off last night with their first Kick-On for Women session seeing 15 women come along to the introductory football program. The club saw an overwhelming response from the community with 20 registrations in total and is excited about the impact the program will have on their club.
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 while 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 Matildas.
More information about the NSW Football Legacy Fund is available here.
Register your club's interest in round two of the NSW Football Legacy Fund here.
