Recognising the growth in female football participation throughout the years

The centenary of the first game of football played by females in Ballarat will be celebrated at a special commemorative AFL Goldfields WFL match this Sunday.

The City of Ballarat is proud to support the commemorative match between Redan and Ballarat women’s sides as part of the final home and away round of the Senior Women’s competition.

The commemorative game has been organised by the Redan Football Club to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of Victoria’s first organised women’s football match at Ballarat in 1918, as well as recognising the incredible growth and exciting future of female football in Ballarat.

It was 28 September 1918 when ‘the Lucas girls’ first pulled on their football boots in what was considered a novel attraction for the times. The Lucas girls took on the ‘Khaki Girls’ of the Commonwealth Clothing Factory Melbourne as part of their fundraising efforts to construct the Ballarat Arch of Victory.

The football fundraiser helped ‘the Lucas girls’ raise £320.

City of Ballarat Mayor Samantha said Sunday’s commemorative match was the perfect example of showcasing how far women’s sport has come in 100 years.

“The Lucas girls pushed the boundaries in terms of what was considered standard for women’s participation in sport 100 years ago, and this Sunday we will see the fruits of this seed of change,” she said.

“Today more women than ever before are participating in sport and physical activity – wouldn’t those Lucas girls be proud.”

Cr McIntosh said the strong female participation figures showed how important it is to create equitable opportunities for women and girls to participate in the sporting environment.

“As a city, we want girls growing up in our community to have the same opportunities, and the same culture of participation in sport as boys – that’s one reason why we have developed the Active Women and Girls’ Strategy.

“It’s important women and girls in our community are provided with adequate infrastructure, opportunities and initiatives to support their health and wellbeing, this is a key focus of the strategy to ensure women and girls can continue playing sport for another 100 years and longer.

“We are also committed to focussing on promotion, exposure and positive messaging to provide positive role models for young women and girls in sport and active recreation – we look forward to supporting more community events such as Sunday’s match to further promote, empower and support our local women and girls.”

More than 150 people attended the official launch of the Active Women and Girls’ Strategy on Friday 27 July.

The strategy was developed following extensive community consultation about how best to guide future initiatives aimed at increasing female participation in sport and physical activity within Ballarat, while promoting equitable opportunities in the sporting environment.

It also provides a tailored response to priority issues identified within the municipality that may be constraining women and girls’ involvement in sport or physical activity, either as leaders or participants.

Four ambassadors, chosen for the four focus areas of the strategy identified during consultation phase, will now play a key role in advocating for the inclusion and promotion of women and girls’ sport.

These ambassadors will also help guide the City of Ballarat over the next four years on projects to be delivered.

The Active Women and Girls’ Strategy is now available to view online at ballarat.vic.gov.au

Sunday’s commemorative match will be played at City Oval at 1.40pm.

Official speeches will take place at Saxon House, City Oval from 12.30pm