Zoe Moffatt
Kyneton District Soccer Club has celebrated the launch of its introductory soccer program, GO Soccer Mums, in the midst of VicHealth’s This Girl Can Week.
About 15 participants attended the event in mid-October to practise drills, listen to speeches and try new activities to find the joy in movement.
GO Soccer Mums program facilitator Lenka Thompson said the launch was a brilliant day, filled with laughs and inspiration drawn from the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“It’s just a bunch of local women who have no or very little soccer experience getting together to have a launch, move their body and learn some soccer skills along the way,” Ms Thompson said.
“Mentally it’s great for mums to have an hour away from making decisions, to relax and know that the people around them are in the same boat. It’s like a womanhood.
“Many of the mums were saying at the launch, they were so inspired by the Matildas, and their daughters who play soccer.
“It’s so inspiring to see women’s sport getting the credit it deserves.”
Ms Thompson said the free eight week program runs each Thursday from 5pm to 6pm at the Kyneton showgrounds, and anyone can get involved at any time.
The launch coincided with a week of fun, free or low-cost activities hosted by gyms and sports clubs across the state to get women and girls involved from October 9 to 15.
Running for its sixth year in Victoria, the campaign was initially launched by the English Sports Council and VicHealth is the first organisation to licence the campaign from Sport England.
It aims to increase physical activity among Victorian women through challenging traditional gender roles and stereotypes in sport and by celebrating women.
VicHealth’s head of This Girl Can Victoria Rebecca Ahern said it is about creating more opportunities for women to enjoy movement amongst the busyness of life.
“This Girl Can is an uplifting, energetic and empowering campaign which speaks directly to everyday women juggling work, family and trying to find time for self-care,” Ms Ahern said.
“We know how tricky it can be for women – especially mums – to prioritise their own physical activity while caring for others.
“Five minutes is better than no minutes, whether it’s chasing the kids around the park or walking around the block.
“There’s no judgement if you haven’t exercised in a while or ever. All that matters is that you give it a go and find what feels good for you.”
