Northern NSW Football has launched Kick-On for Women, a modified football program to encourage women to get fit through a more social and accessible format of football.
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The program is a first for NSW.
From October 21, Kick-On for Women will span 22 locations throughout metropolitan, regional and remote NSW.
In the Hunter, there will be seven locations offering Kick-On for Women: Speers Point, Mayfield, Garden Suburb, East Maitland, Cessnock, Swansea and Wallsend.
NNSWF chief executive officer David Eland said the program was born from feedback from mums, sisters and girlfriends in football who were interested in the sport but not able to overcome the barriers of self-confidence and time commitments.
"By creating safe, comfortable and welcoming environments, women wanting to learn the basic skills of the game can do so in a supportive, judgement-free and social space," Mr Eland said.
A pilot of the program in Garden Suburb had attracted 31 new participants and achieved a 68 per cent retention rate, he said.
Leann Bartley, a participant in the pilot program, said she was shy and found it difficult to enter large groups.
"I was nervous walking into my first Kick-On session. I could kick a ball but didn't know anyone else there," she said.
"By the end of the first session, I had made new friends, had a great time, and had picked up some further football skills."
By the end of the first session, I had made new friends, had a great time and had picked up some further football skills.
- - Leann Bartley
Mr Eland said Kick-On for Women was aimed at females older than 16 who were currently not active or were returning from a period away from organised physical activity.
He said the program was deliberately aligned to Sport Australia's 'Find Your 30' campaign.
"The 45-minute sessions are often run on Monday evenings, to help women kick-start their week," he said.
"They also run over an eight-week term, the shorter format designed to entice women who are time poor due to family and work commitments to participate in the program."
To find out more about the program, and to join a Kick-On for Women centre, visit northernnswfootball.com.au/kick-on/