Tuesday, 30 April 2024

Footscray United Rangers Football Club

Katie HALL (Footscray) (13:30): I rise to celebrate the growth of inclusivity in local sport in my electorate of Footscray and new opportunities for women’s participation. In our history the Footscray name has been attached to eight soccer teams, but we had not had a namesake women’s team until this year, although our wonderful Maribyrnong Swifts football team for women, girls and gender-diverse players has its home ground in West Footscray and has been operating a safe and inclusive women’s club since 2011.

I am thrilled that we now have the Footscray United Rangers Football Club. It started in 2017 as a men’s team and has since quickly embraced community interest and steadily expanded the club’s outreach and inclusivity. The club boasts seven junior teams, including two for children with disabilities, and also funds 20 refugee visa holders to participate free of charge. But importantly the club has also recognised the need for opportunities for women’s participation at the grassroots level, capitalising on the momentum of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the massive boost in interest in women’s soccer locally. Footscray United Rangers Football Team has grown from a base of zero women players in 2023 to now boasting two teams totalling 36 players. On Sunday 21 April I was proud to attend their first ever match in the women’s state league soccer competition.