Girls’ grassroots football continues to grow as Matildas light spark for next generation

As the sun sets over Sydney’s inner west, a suburban ground is brought alive with colour. Hundreds of girls, gripped by unfading Matildas fever, have taken over Mackey Park.

As the sun sets over Sydney’s inner west Mackey Park in Marrickville comes to life, with hundreds of girls, gripped by unfading Matildas fever, donning their own rainbow of team colours and hitting the football field.

Our green and golden girls of sport have inspired a new generation of female soccer stars to take up the beautiful game and months after a World Cup on home soil their impact is still being felt by local clubs.

Marrickville Football Club managing director Georgie Kokokiris said interest in the club’s clinics and competitions has surged and sign-ups for the summer season have grown by 45 per cent.

The club has seen their female participation rate increase from 26 per cent to 40 per cent since the Women’s World Cup in August, she said, and they currently have 72 womens teams.

“There’s a lot of interest in girls-only competitions, so girls are feeling more comfortable to come back and play … in a safe and fun environment,” she said.

Marrickville Red Devils player Mikaela Scoutas. Marrickville FC hosts small five-a-side matches at Mackey Park through the summer. Picture: Richard Dobson

President Bill Drossos said the Matildas’ influence was frequently cited by newcomers and girls returning to the sport alike.

“The consistent theme is ‘they’re our heroes’, we’ve seen the World Cup and it looks like a really good, fun game,” he said.

Harriet Galanos, representing Honduran club Deportivo Olimpia. Picture: Richard Dobson

Ten-year-old Violet Hick is one of the first-timers to have joined a five-a-side squad at Mackey Park for the summer, after following the Matildas religiously during the World Cup, and four weeks in is “absolutely loving” it.

“I think it’s great that there has been a rise in the population of girls playing soccer,” she said.

“The idea that soccer is a boys’ sport and gymnastics and dance are for girls is something I have never understood … we are capable of the same things.

“There should be more finances put into girls’ soccer because I know a bunch of girls who would’ve loved to be in a team but there were no more spots left.”

Newcomers Kyla Rodriques, Maisy Parsons, Violet Hick, Harriet Galanos, Lorelei Kurzel, Sophie Worsfold and Liberty Laing are among the many girls trying soccer at Mackey Park for the first time, spurred on by the Matildas in the Women’s World Cup. Picture: Richard Dobson

Fellow five-a-siders Kyla Rodriquez and Lorelai Kurzel have both been awake as late as midnight on school nights to watch the Matildas fly through the Olympic qualifying tournament.

Kyla’s mum Chantelle Rangel said the family home has become “a madhouse” with school mates packing the place to watch the games.

“Kyla initially didn’t like team sports, she was a little bit on the shy side … but now something in her has been ignited and she wants to face all those fears,” Ms Rangel said.

“I feel like that’s (the Matildas’) legacy, right? When they were younger, a lot of them had to join boys’ teams, or join different sports … this wouldn’t have happened for them.”

Lorelai’s mum Rose Doyle said the Tillies’ camaraderie and team spirit have set a great example for her daughter and her friends.

“The Matildas came out (for the World Cup) at about the same time as the Barbie movie, and I remember thinking it was a really nice alternative for girls, to see what these women are doing,” she said.

Originally published as Girls’ grassroots football continues to grow as Matildas light spark for next generation