MUMS and their daughters have been not just learning the game of soccer, but also plenty about each other as they join forces to play the game they love.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Women in their 40s and 50s are joining their teenage daughters to play in the Ballarat District Soccer Association, which has all come about through VicHealth's This Girl Can initiative which started two years ago which has branched into the Soccer Mums group.
Among those taking the field each weekend are Julie Warren and her 17-year-old daughter Ruby.
The Soccer Mums program runs every Saturday morning at Morshead Park and gives women an opportunity to have a kick with peers, which can then lead to competition in the Open Women's League in the BDSA.
"We had women come and try soccer, through that we've seen many women stay with the program," Warren said.
"The Soccer Mums allow you to develop good skills and then you can decide if you want to play competitively.
"It's a really great thing that soccer still can be played by 40-50-year-old women and the association has been really accepting of older women playing soccer."
Warren said the program was allowing women and their daughters to get even closer together. "We're all very passionate about my soccer mums, really hope there are other women who have been thinking about getting into sport, that see it as a pipedream, there is a pathway with this," she said.
"You start with the soccer mums who have a kick and giggle on a Saturday morning, if you feel like you have some skills, you can go into BDSA.
"It's so good to be able to share in something together, the sport is a passion she's had for many years.
"And I'm a part of that now, we've got so many things we can communicate about and you see the girls with friends and it gives you a much better perspective with how to deal with certain issues in their life."
Warren said being part of a something alongside women your own age was important.
"They are certainly a skilled bunch of girls and the younger girls have been really accepting and feedback is they've really enjoyed it, it's a lot of fun, perhaps not as competitive as other sports," she said.
"We're improving all the time, certainly some of the mums are very good, and then some of us who are more like myself and say 'okay, let's give it a good hot go'.
"It's also great for the younger girls to see that sport doesn't have to end, you can still play for a long time."
Anyone interested in joining Soccer Mums can go to Morshead Park every Saturday morning between 9am and 10am. To learn more about the program, head online to gofootball.com.au/programs/go-soccer-mums
