Sport can be a powerful pathway for women empowerment through sports, giving young women opportunities to build confidence, develop leadership skills and take an active role in their communities. Creating Chances’ Girls United program in Sunraysia, regional NSW, combines football, coach education and practical leadership opportunities to help young women develop skills they can carry into sport, school and community life.
We are so proud of the young women building leadership, confidence, and community in the Sunraysia region of Far South West NSW. Creating Chances is excited to deliver our Football United Girls United program—a vital, female-led environment that provides a safe and inclusive space to grow.
This program, proudly supported by the Australian Government’s Play Our Way fund and focuses on leadership through coaching.
How Does Girls United Support Young Women Through Sport?
Girls United uses sport and coach education to create opportunities for young women to develop leadership, confidence and practical coaching skills. The program provides a supportive environment where participants can learn, take on leadership roles and apply their skills within their local communities.
Building Leadership Through Coaching
- Develop practical coaching and leadership skills.
- Give young women opportunities to take responsibility.
- Build confidence through practical experience.
- Support participants to work with younger students.
- Create pathways to continue playing and coaching.
Creating Safe and Inclusive Opportunities
- Provide a female-led environment for participation.
- Encourage positive peer relationships.
- Create space for young women to develop confidence.
- Support participation regardless of experience level.
- Connect sport with broader community involvement.
We work alongside the incredible communities of Coomealla, Dareton, Buronga and Wentworth to have local imapct. In this region, which sits on the NSW/VIC border near the Murray River, our programs emphasize cultural understanding.
Girls United provides coach education and leadership opportunities for young women to develop skills and gain qualifications. They get to apply these coaching skills in local primary schools and community settings.
Through this program we aim to increase the participation of women and girls in sport. Massive credit to our head facilitators, Halima and Shegofa, who led the girls through this coaching and leadership journey.
How Do Girls Sports Programs Support Regional NSW Communities?
Girls sports programs in regional NSW can provide more than opportunities to participate in sport. They can create pathways for young women to develop leadership skills, gain practical experience and contribute to their local communities.
Creating Local Leadership Pathways
- Provide coaching and leadership opportunities close to home.
- Help young women gain practical skills and qualifications.
- Create opportunities to work with younger participants.
- Build confidence through community involvement.
- Encourage continued participation in sport.
Connecting Sport With Community
- Work alongside local schools and community settings.
- Reflect the needs and context of regional communities.
- Encourage cultural understanding.
- Create positive relationships through shared activities.
- Build opportunities for young women to contribute locally.
The program delivers high-impact, values-based soccer programming that enhances resilience, self-confidence, and a sense of belonging. It’s all about creating long-term pathways for girls to continue playing and coaching beyond the program.
What Are the Benefits of Community Sports Programs for Girls?
Community sports programs for girls can create opportunities for participation, leadership, confidence and connection. When young women are supported to develop practical skills and use them within their communities, sport can become a pathway for personal development and continued involvement.
Developing Confidence and Leadership
- Build confidence through practical coaching experience.
- Develop communication and teamwork skills.
- Give participants opportunities to lead activities.
- Encourage young women to become positive role models.
- Support personal growth through participation.
Creating Pathways Beyond the Program
- Help participants continue playing sport.
- Create opportunities to continue coaching.
- Develop transferable leadership skills.
- Connect young women with schools and community settings.
- Encourage longer-term involvement in their communities.
How Do Community-Based Sports Programs for Girls Create Long-Term Impact?
Community based sports programs for girls can create lasting opportunities by connecting participation with leadership, coaching and community involvement. Rather than focusing only on a single sporting experience, these programs can help young women develop skills and relationships that encourage continued participation.
Supporting Long-Term Participation
- Create pathways for girls to remain involved in sport.
- Provide opportunities to move from participant to coach.
- Build confidence through continued practice.
- Encourage leadership within local communities.
- Connect sport with education and community development.
Developing Positive Role Models
- Give young women opportunities to lead by example.
- Help participants support younger students.
- Encourage peer learning and mentorship.
- Build leadership through real community experiences.
- Strengthen connections between different generations of participants.
“It was awesome to see the girls engage in the program. They all proved how great of role models they already are for the younger students in their community. Seeing the program provide them with a structured way to implement those leadership qualities and build upon their knowledge is a special path to be on with them.”
Halima Elsayed, Head Facilitator In Training
What Does Girls United Mean for the Sunraysia Community?
The Girls United program creates a local pathway for young women to develop confidence, leadership and coaching skills while contributing to their communities. By connecting sport with practical leadership opportunities, the program supports young women to become active participants and role models within the Sunraysia region.
Creating Opportunities for Young Women
- Develop coaching skills and qualifications.
- Build confidence through leadership experience.
- Work with younger students in local schools.
- Strengthen communication and teamwork.
- Create pathways for continued participation.
Supporting Women and Girls in Sport
- Encourage greater participation by women and girls.
- Create female-led sporting environments.
- Provide opportunities for young women to take leadership roles.
- Support continued playing and coaching.
- Strengthen community connections through sport.
The program also contributes to women empowerment through sports by giving young women opportunities to build confidence, develop leadership skills and contribute to their communities.
Join the movement and be a leader in your community!
This activity received grant funding from the Australian Government.
This activity received grant funding from the Australian Government.
For more information about our Girls United programs and Regional Programs click here.
How Does Creating Chances Support Girls Through Sport?
Creating Chances uses sport as a pathway for leadership, participation, confidence and community connection. Programs such as Girls United provide young women with opportunities to develop practical coaching skills, take on leadership roles and contribute to their local communities.
Supporting Continued Participation
- Create opportunities to continue playing sport.
- Develop pathways into coaching and leadership.
- Connect young women with local schools and communities.
- Encourage positive role modelling.
- Build confidence through practical experience.
Creating Community Impact
- Strengthen participation among women and girls.
- Support local leadership.
- Encourage inclusive sporting environments.
- Build connections between young people and their communities.
- Create pathways that can continue beyond the program.
