Western United’s commitment to growing the game of football in Victoria and developing female talent at a grass roots level has again been strengthened, with the launch of the Western United Cup.
The Ballarat tournament will provide a competitive stage for junior girls across Victoria to display their talents at the end of their club season, taking place from September 29 to October 1.
The three-day event will also showcase Ballarat’s purpose-built football facilities and align with Ballarat’s Women in Sport strategy.
Western United’s Women’s Football Integration Manager Amanda Stella said this will come at the perfect time as the Club continues to strengthen its commitment to growing the women’s game.
“As a club, Western United continues to grow in the female space with our partnership with WNPL’s Calder United, the girl’s development squad and the imminent A- League Women’s team for next season,” she said.
“Our commitment to the female game and the initiatives we are creating are something that, as a Club, we are proud of. Launching a tournament that is inclusive for all girls’ teams across the state is another step forward in Western United promoting women and girls who are a pivotal part of the growth of football.
“The tournament will come at a time when we are less than 10 months out from the start of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup which is the perfect time to have as many girls on the pitch to promote women’s and girls’ football.”
The Ballarat City Council and the State Government of Victoria will assist in the preparation and running of the Western United Cup, during which Western United will also be partnering with Australian Football Skool.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney, said this agreement cements the strengthened relationship between the City of Ballarat, the State Government, and the Western United Football club.
“Western United is not only our adopted A-League soccer team – we want them to feel like Ballarat is their fortress with the local community right behind them waving their green and black scarves in the air,” he said.
“Having A-League games in Ballarat is yet another big coup for Ballarat’s sport-loving community and helps our post-pandemic sporting recovery continues to gain massive momentum.”
Ballarat’s regional football facility at Morshead Park will play host to the cup, providing the perfect facility for Ballarat’s best young female footballers to flourish.
“This continues an ever-growing partnership between Western United and Ballarat City Council and is the continuation of sustained support that both organisations provide to female involvement in sport,” said David Clarkson, Western United Community Club Ambassador.
The Western United Cup will be open to junior girls from under 10s to under 18s with an open age bracket also. There will be limits on the number of teams, and Western United encourages clubs to act fast once registrations open.
Registrations will open in the coming weeks and there will further updates to come ahead of the tournament commencing later this year.
