Government sets up office to promote female sport in response to Grass Ceiling campaign

THE State Government is setting up a dedicated agency for female sports as a Leader campaign for gender equality in Melbourne’s inner south kicks another goal.

Brighton soccer players Aicha Phipps-Booth, Susie Huse, Georgie Huse and Lizzie Leembruggen. Picture: Mark Wilson

• First bounce of a new era
• Women’s football booming
• ‘Women are hungrier to play’
• More girls just wanna have fun

BAYSIDE Leader’s crusade for gender equality has kicked another goal, with the State Government setting up a dedicated agency for female sports.

The Office for Women in Sport and Recreation is a first for Victoria, and comes on the back of the Leader’s The Grass Ceiling campaign encouraging more female participation.

And one local organisation pushing their own boundaries is the Brighton Soccer Club, which is using GPS technology to analyse performance.

Inspired by successes such as the recent AFLW competition, which thrust women’s footy into the spotlight, girls are taking up grassroots sports in droves.

State League 1 soccer side Brighton is using GPS trackers to analyse performance. Players Susie, Georgie, Lizzie and Aicha with the sensors. Picture: Mark Wilson

In Bayside, football, cricket and soccer female participation numbers have gone through the roof, but the facilities they have to use are sadly lacking.

In response, Bayside Council has ramped up their long-term pavilion project, and the Victorian Government has tipped millions into improving grounds and clubrooms across the state.

Sports Minister John Eren said the new office will work with councils, sports associations and clubs on identifying the infrastructure required to create female and family-friendly environments.

“The Grass Ceiling campaign is a great example of a proud sporting community coming together in the name of gender equality,” Mr Eren said.

“For too long our women and girls have not had access to the facilities and opportunities they deserve, but we’re fixing that.

“That’s what this new office is all about — a dedicated team to deliver our nation leading agenda to help level the playing field.”

Brighton Soccer Club coach Anthony Maguire said the Catapult tracking device, which stored data during training and matches, was a big strategic bonus.

“The devices, which we have on 15 players, provide great help to us, both on individual and also team levels; they are a real step up,” Maguire said.

Catapult general manager Anton Jovanovic said advanced technology provided inspiration to players from community sports clubs and closed the gap from the amateur to the professional leagues.