A CARINE soccer club is inspiring girls to join the sport.
Hamersley Rovers Junior Football Club president Mike Waller said the club embarked on a mission several years ago to change its culture and focus on attracting females.
“I think soccer is an amazing team sport for girls,” he said.
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In the past few years, the club has grown from just a couple of girls teams to eight, and this year surpassing more than 100 female members, which equates to about 20 per cent of total players.
Part of achieving its success has been enlisting the help of former Perth Glory W-league captain and assistant coach Tanya Oxtoby.
She has played and coached in Australia and England, and each year runs sessions for the club’s female players and coaches of girls’ teams.
“They gain a lot of understanding and also how their skills can improve,” Mr Waller said.
The rise of Matildas player Sam Kerr and Perth Glory women’s team has also helped to encourage girls to take up soccer.
“It’s one of the understated pathways for girls in sport,” Mr Waller said.
“We continue to look for mentors to inspire the girls.”