About Us
Purpose
Connecting and empowering women and girls through spreading information about Football and Futsal opportunities across the Wellington region.
Growing the number of girls and women involved in Football and Futsal playing, coaching, refereeing and administrating.
Vision
To recognise the differences between women and girls because most programmes target girls and most women are considered outdated or irrelevant far too soon. There is a place for everyone, and we can help them find it.
The project would be about who has what opportunities available to them locally, and raising expectations everywhere. It will be a one stop shop for all information about what is available to any woman or girl in their neighbourhood. This will allow greater participation as girls new to Football can see what is available where, and clubs can see what might be an opportunity in their own neighbourhood.
The project will be about making it normal for girls to be everywhere, all the time. In all roles, in all environments (5, 6, 7 a side or 11 a side), player, coach, referee, administrator/manager. Let's connect everyone to the right expertise to support the exponential growth required in all areas for 2023 and beyond.
Who is leading it?
Shannon Smith. A player for 25yrs, referee for 18yrs, administrator, coach, fitness trainer, nutritionist, teacher, all round Football/Futsal-mad woman who is currently taking time out to raise a baby.
It is my way of giving back to the game from home. I am not affiliated to a club or business, I just want to see women and girls gain equity, not just equality.
At the end of a year of coaching I was asked by the players what else is available now? I discovered how out of date most club websites were (especially in the women's sections) and how girls opportunities were not really highlighted that well or obvious to parents. I know clubs are extremely busy, with volunteers juggling multiple priorities in their lives. So I understand why there seemed to be a reliance on social media. However, some parents do not use some platforms, not to mention parents needed to follow several clubs in their area, which they may not have heard of. Also, sometimes opportunities are being advertised very close to the start date, which might not work for large families planning. As a careful coach I would not recommend anything I hadn't looked into thoroughly first - I had nothing to recommend. I hope to change that now.