Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, June 21, 2023
In the spirit of “Going Beyond”, Hamilton hosted a FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Trophy Tour event at the K’aute Pasifika Fale, to empower future generations in sport. Held on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, the event turned the spotlight on women who are unleashing their creative spirit and accelerating the growth of women’s sports.
About the event
Past and present female sporting personalities on the panel included current Football Fern Michaela Foster, ex-Football Fern Joy Howland and FIFA Referee Sarah Jones. MC and Olympian Sarah Cowley-Ross lead the discussion with the panel on how far women’s sport has come, in the lead-up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
The theme of the evening was “All things Wahine, all things Football, and all things sports,” as introduced by Ms Cowley-Ross.
The evening saw the unveiling of the FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy, which has been on a tour across the country to encourage young girls and athletes and spread awareness about the sport. The audience comprised many young female footballers, and teams from Waikato with several young teenage girls, who wanted to hear their idols speak. The optimism and ambition in the room were infectious for all who attended.
Speakers and their message
The opening address was by Jess Savage, student and prefect at Cambridge High School, the captain of the girl’s Football team for her school and a Coach for an under 12s football team in Cambridge.
Ms Savage highlighted that “female athletes have to work twice as hard to achieve half the recognition. We need to give due importance to women’s sports, and in the process inspire future generations that a strong roadmap to success is possible to be achieved through sports.”
Joy Howland and her sporting journey
ex-Football Fern Joy Howland, who was sporting her team jersey from the 1989 World Cup, reminisced about how times have changed and the game of Football itself has changed drastically.
Ms Howland recalled how she used to be the only girl to play in the boy’s team back in the day. “It is such a great feeling to see more girls and all-girls teams when I go to my son’s football games on Saturday mornings.”
She also recalled her days on the New Zealand team and said, “ It was just a bunch of mates playing for the country. We never had the structure or institutional support that is now available. It was all about the love for the game. We were fundraising on the weekends, requesting people to buy our tickets, door knocking and trying everything we could. It was a constant cycle of ‘play, train and fundraise’ for us.”
When asked about how the next generation of girls can be motivated to take on sports, she had a sound piece of advice for the players. She said, “Talent is great, but often not enough. Mentors can have immense impact in developing the drive and commitment and show you how to keep the passion high, and prepare a plan of action for you.”
Her message for the parents was received with applause from the audience when she said, “Focus on presence not pressure. Be available, show up for games on the sidelines and support your girls in their journey.”
Ms Howland spoke about her hopes for the future of women’s sports in New Zealand and said, “It would be great to see New Zealand go to the next level with higher participation and more visibility.”
Michaela Foster shares her unique story
Current Football Fern Michaela Foster shared with the audience how the road to the World Cup presented its unique set of challenges for her.
Even though she is part of a revered sporting family, her father, Ian Foster, the Coach for the All Blacks already has illustrious accolades to his name. Ms Foster Said, “Football stuck with me when I started at the age of seven. Our parents always encourage us to create our path, and playing football with my sister became the highlight of my childhood years.”
She said, “I am a proud daughter, and I hope he is a proud dad.” Michaela was a coach at the Hamilton Girls’ High School when she received a scholarship to play professionally. She had to work at a supermarket to pay the bills, but the journey made the success more respected, she recalled.
While the journey took its time, with the first big opportunity coming her way at the age of 24, Ms Foster said everyone has a different story and different milestones.
She emphasised how women in sports, as well as leadership roles, need to be highlighted, with special mention of success stories, like that of Fatima Samoura, the first female Secretary General of FIFA, so that girls across the World are inspired and motivated.
Ms Foster said, “Navigating the sporting world after high school is critical for young players. It is crucial that we have inlets into sporting communities along with pathways to pursue career opportunities for young girls. In addition to this, Watching women in both sports as well as leadership roles in the sports fraternity will be a boost for young girls.”
The Referee’s call
FIFA referee Sarah Jones highlighted the need to break barriers for women to continue sports after school, university, or even after getting married and having children. She said, “We need to tell women that it is possible to follow your passion even with a family and a career. If you love doing it, you can always go for it.”
Being the third world cup which Ms Jones will be a part of, she explained how the game has evolved over the past decade. Ms Jones said, “The fitness levels are higher for players as well as the referees. With various learning modules, and training sessions before the games begin and even during the World Cup, the referees are also required to exhibit skill and aptitude along with fitness. A speed test, agility test, Strength test, core and flexibility training and several criteria, it is a mix of hard work, learning and continuous commitment to one’s passion that come into play as a referee. But, I would not have it any other way. It is a commitment I have made to my passion.”
The positive trend emerging ahead of World Cup
Hamilton is set to host five matches from 22 July 2023. Zambia’s “Copper Queens” women’s football team and support crew as their “home” base in Hamilton for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. An impressive number of 1 Million tickets have been sold so far in both the host nations, Australia and New Zealand, which shows a positive change for women’s sports and increased support from spectators.
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Hamilton.
