GFC expansion gives girls a soccer pathway

The Gippsland Football Club are looking to double its coaching staff in order to develop strong foundations at a junior level.

Two Girls Development Programs will be a central part to the soccer club’s expansion, where they hope to find coaches for each of Gippsland’s districts.

Girls aged 10 to 16 who already play soccer with a local club will have the opportunity to attend the “talented training program”, which hopes to provide pathways to higher level competitions.

“The main focus is for girls who are enjoying football at their local level to get a bit of training and come together with some other girls who are more talented and dedicated,” GFC spokesperson Lee Dastey said.

It’s hoped that by holding these programs, Gippsland Football Club will be able to enter a girls’ team in metropolitan leagues by 2023.

“With the Women’s World Cup coming to Australia in 2023, it’s a good time to build the girls game locally and get more girls out playing the game,” Dastey said.

The soccer club currently has 12 coaches, but are hoping to develop training programs in West, Central, East, and South Gippsland, which will expand the coaching staff to 24.

It will consist of a mixed development program for U10 and U12 players, and a program for girls aged 13 to 16.

For those in West Gippsland, training sessions will be held in Drouin next year.

The club is also looking for experienced coaches to lead its National Premier League boys teams in the u14, u15, u16, and u18 squads.

The NPL squads are based out of the Latrobe Valley and play Southern Victorian teams.

New and experienced coaches can apply by contacting Gippsland Football Club.