Often thought of as a man’s sport a number of women have been working together to foster a sense of belonging, confidence, self-esteem and social inclusion for girls playing soccer.
Part of the Gosnells City Football Club network Ann Gourley, Ann
Farrar and Ann Devereaux have a combination of more than 50 years of working with girls in sport.
Lynwood Senior High soccer specialist Ms Gourley said the game was the fastest growing sport for girls and women in the world.
“It empowers young women and girls and helps them believe in themselves,” she said.
“They can go out in life and enjoy being female and I like the fact there are pathways for them in sport and sports careers.”
Ms Gourley said she was one of the few female coaches in Perth and loved the challenges involved in the sport as well as working with the girls.
Ms Farrar who has worked behind the canteen at Gosnells Football club for more than 20 years said it was important for girls to get involved in sports.
“It fosters friendship, team work, coordinating skills and self esteem,” she said.
She said she started watching soccer at the age of seven but it was in the 1970s when she accompanied her husband to a game in Canning Vale that she became a part of the club.
Ms Farrar said it has been wonderful ever since.
“I support the teams no matter what the weather is,” she said.
Ms Devereaux who became involved with Gosnells City in the mid 1990s said sport was not just for young girls but for everyone.
“Young people need the outlet for their energy,” she said.
“The structure and discipline offered by team sports and learning to work together is important.”
Ms Devereaux also said there were many great friendships forged over the years from being involved in soccer.
“I first became involved in football almost by accident,” she said.
“I loved watching the English Premier League on television but when I moved into a new area I knew no one and had no one to talk football with.”
That was when Ms Devereaux said she found Gosnells City and has been a supporter ever since.
“There is no greater pleasure than supporting your team week in and week out,” she said.
“I always watch the three Gosnells City’s State League teams every Saturday and this year I’ve been supporting my granddaughter play in the under sevens every Sunday morning.”
