Women kick on into 2021 as female soccer continues to grow in Narrabri

Narrabri is once again a Kick-On for Women hub, delivering Northern NSW Football’s eight-week program at Gately Field where just short of 20 ladies are enjoying learning soccer skills each week.

An introductory soccer program, Kick-On for Women is designed specifically for women to fit into their busy lives.

The idea was born from the demand for mothers, sisters and female soccer spectators wanting to be involved in the sport, however, desired a format that welcomed their inexperience, less active lifestyle and limited time availability.

The program launched in October 2019 and ran last year in terms one and four, flanking a COVID-19 hiatus.

It has returned in 2021 to kick off what is expected to be a significant year for female soccer in the Narrabri Shire.

A ladies’ modified six-a-side round robin style day will be hosted at Gately Field this Saturday morning to celebrate International Women’s Day, while there are also plans to run mid-week six-a-side competitions under lights throughout the year as well as nine-a-side or even 11-a-side matches prior to Namoi Soccer League competition fixtures throughout 2021.

NNSWF is also planning to host Kick-On for Women programs in terms two, three and four as well.

Sam Lubke-Wood was the driving force behind getting Kick-On for Women started in Narrabri back in 2019.

The first program co-ordinator in Narrabri, Lubke-Wood told The Courier last week that the program was the perfect way to provide women with a fun, comfortable environment in which to exercise, meet new people and learn new skills. She said it also created new interest in the game.

“I grew up watching and playing soccer and I ran on for my first game right here (Gately Field) when I was five or six-years old,” she said.

“I absolutely love the game and I’m so happy we’ve been able to bring Kick-On for Women to Narrabri and keep it going for so long. It really is a great way for ladies to exercise, meet new people and have fun.

“It’s also a great start for ladies who want to go on and play at a more competitive level, looking at the ladies here today (see photo above), none of them were part of the 34 ladies who took part the first time we ran the program here back in 2019.

“A lot of those 34 will be there when we get into the more competitive and structured stuff on Saturday and throughout the year.

“More than 100 ladies would have taken part in Kick-On for Women since it started here, it’s just great to see.”

The program’s current co-ordinator is Stephanie Stride, who enjoys watching her husband and son play the game but relishes any opportunity to put the boots on herself.

“It’s just such a fun afternoon here every Tuesday,” she said.

“Each session is different but we start with a welcome game so everyone can get to know one another and to make everyone feel comfortable, then the second part is a warm up to get our bodies pumping, then we have a skill intro to practise our soccer skills, then there’s a skill game then we move onto a mini game at the end.

“It’s a great environment.

“I don’t want to play in the men’s comp and a lot of other women don’t want to either, they don’t feel confident enough to do that.

“They can come here each week and have a laugh and kick the ball around, get some fitness in and meet new people.”

One of this term’s participants is Clare Bollen, a teacher at Narrabri Public School who is originally from Goulburn and moved to Narrabri last year.

She signed up for Kick-On for Women this term and has enjoyed the afternoon sessions.

“I started this year and I’ve enjoyed the past month,” she said.

“A few girls from work do it so I decided to join up with them.

“I really like it, it’s good fun. It’s structured and it gets you outside, it’s nice to have something a bit more organised to look forward to every week.

“I like how we work on skills then actually use them when we play mini games.

“It’s also a great way to meet people, there’s a lot of people who aren’t originally from Narrabri who go down, I’d recommend it to anyone.”

Bollen has not played soccer since leaving high school, but she said Kick-On for Women had inspired her to play in 2021, including at this Saturday’s six-a-side gala day.

That will be a free event, at which females aged 16-years-and-over from across the Narrabri Shire and Moree are encouraged to come along and play.

Players can enter as individuals and be placed into a team or can organise a team to play on the day.