A Tauranga organisation is on a mission to get more girls into football.

Recently, 75 girls flooded Pemberton Park for the girl's football “Have a Go Funday”.

The success of the event is shown by the 49 girls who signed up to play football at the club after the event.

“The event is aimed to break down barriers to participating in sport in the hope that girls will leave an event like this having had a positive experience, feeling confident and wanting to play more football,” says Tauranga Blue Rovers Football Club Girls Coordinator Cath Wheeler.

Historically the sport has been male-dominated, but now it’s becoming a growing space for girls, says Cath.

Girls of all ages, sharing their passion for football. Photos supplied.

“It was fantastic. We had even more girls giving football a go, having fun, building confidence, and making new friends than we did last year.

“Family and friends were enjoying being out in the sun and watching the girls play.

“It was also an opportunity for the girls to make connections with some of the older girls in the club, who led activities or groups as they moved around the pre-planned activities.

“We were also very lucky to have Emma Rolston, a professional football player and ex-NZ player, mingling and talking with the girls.”

At the event 75 girls turned up to enjoy some fun with new friends. Photo supplied.

The day was led by our Youth and Senior girls who shared their passion with the younger generation, she says.

Emma Rolston the Ex-Football Fern, Olympian (2020), who represented NZ at the U-17 World Cup in 2012, and U-20 World Cups in 2014 and 2016 and played professional football in Australia, Germany and Norway, was at the event to inspire the young girls, she says.

“We know there's a lot of research around the benefits of sports participation,” says Cath.

“Participating in physical activity makes many young women feel better about themselves, increasing their feelings of capability and competence, and bolstering their confidence.”

Girls are increasingly becoming more involved in the male-dominant sport. Photo supplied

These events are about breaking down barriers and providing opportunities for girls in a sport previously dominated by men, she says.

This event was started in 2010 by NZ Football, and three years ago the name of the event changed to Girls and Women Month as part of the FIFA initiative, she says.

In March NZ Football runs a nationwide campaign promoting female football, ‘Girls & Women’s Month’.

“This is the second year the Tauranga Blue Rovers have run an event as part of the G&W Month campaign in partnership with Nat Broadhead, Women’s Development Officer, WaiBOP Football.

Of those who attended the event, 49 girls signed up to be apart of the club and continue to do football. Photo supplied.

“Football is the most popular sport in the world with an estimated 3.5 billion fans.

“Girls and women playing football in NZ increased by 25 per cent from 2022 to 2023.

“The Football Ferns are ranked 28th out of 193 countries.

“We have the opportunity to continue to grow women's football as a professional sports pathway, and to compete against the best in the world, and all begins with strong, grassroots football at local, community football clubs.

For more information about the Greerton-based Tauranga Blue Rovers Football Club visit their website at https://bluerovers.co.nz/about-us