It might be the height of the Australian summer, but two locals have already kicked off preparations for an exciting development for Tamworth’s next soccer season.
Chloe Nott of Tamworth FC, and Fiona O’Keefe of Oxley Vale Attunga, have joined forces to establish Tamworth’s first ever all female football club.
Nott says the Western Wolves will hopefully inspire the next generation of female footballers, fostering a sense of community and empowerment.
“We just saw a bit of a need to increase participation numbers in Tamworth, and we kind of got together, and we’re like, how can we do that? You know, numbers are increasing, but not very rapidly.”
The club will be a place for seniors and juniors, creating an opportunity for females of all ages to play on an even keel.
“We thought making an all female football club might be a good way to make females feel safer and more comfortable to play, because sometimes in a very male dominated sport, it can be quite a bit frightening and a bit intimidating.”
“We thought we’d have a football club that focuses solely on women and helping women to feel safe and secure and enjoy football, we thought that might be the way to go.”
O’Keefe says while the all female avenue is a great outlet for a sport that already boosts mental well-being and social interaction, players shouldn’t be gun shy if they want to mix it with their male counterparts:
“We’re all about choice. There are women and young girls that choose to play with boys and want to play with boys and against boys. And that’s fine, but we wanted an option where girls could play with girls against girls.”
“But ultimately, if we have an all girls team that wants to play in the mixed boys competition, we’re all for that as well, because we strongly believe that women and young girls are capable, are more than capable to play against boys and be competitive and win.”
For more information, email the Western Wolves Women’s Football Club on westernwolveswfc@outlook.com.
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