Women’s soccer on the Border has hit a “speed hump” in 2018, but Albury Wodonga Football Association is pulling together the expertise of those who love the game to help it push forward.
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Just six clubs are competing in the senior women’s competition this year, with five clubs choosing to only field a reserves team due to an exodus of top players.
AWFA will host a “women in football forum” on Saturday to discuss the challenges.
It will be facilitated by Wodonga Diamonds player and independent candidate for Benambra Jacqui Hawkins.
She said playing soccer over 10 years had helped her professional, personal and social development, and wanted as many female athletes as possible playing.
“I was quite shocked initially with the change that occurred, but it got people talking,” Ms Hawkins said.
“We’re all playing the game we love … it’s a game that unites us.”
She said the forum would be inclusive and hoped female players and the men involved as coaches and in other roles would attend to share their knowledge.
The ideas will be workshopped and help AWFA come up with a strategic plan for the future.
The alternate senior women’s draw, which can involve teams playing at a different location to the rest of their club, has been tough on the remaining six teams.
Melrose FC used a recent newsletter to celebrate the fact its women would be back playing at home for a weekend.
“As a club, we are proud of the stand the girls took to remain in the senior ladies division, knowing there was a tough road ahead, rather than taking the option of dropping down like some of the other clubs elected to do,” the club stated. “It’s fair to say that the current arrangement is not working and there is a disconnect happening.
“We don't often get to see the women play and they are not around all the time to see the rest of the club, of which they are part of.
“We hope some wisdom prevails next season and a better system is arrived at.”
AWFA president Mark Leman said it was important for the association’s committee to take a step back and listen to others at the forum.
“We’ve just hit a speed hump, a lot of people have retired and people moved away for university or work at once,” he said.
“You can’t predict it.”
The forum will focus on four questions about issues in women’s soccer, with attendees breaking into groups to discuss their thoughts.
Mr Leman said there was a possibility a women’s sub-committee could be formed from the discussions.
The forum will be held at Commercial Club Albury on Saturday from 2pm to 4pm.