Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, July 4, 2023
The Government is supporting regionally-led programmes to celebrate and empower women and girls during the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, which is only a few days away now.
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.
“The FIFA Women’s World Cup is the largest women’s sporting event in the world and will leave a lasting legacy for football and women’s sport in New Zealand, and our communities,” Internal Affairs Minister Barbara Edmonds said.
“The Hine te Hiringa – Empower Women Utilising FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Fund was established to help celebrate women’s achievement. In recognition of New Zealand co-hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup, we are supporting programmes and projects that empower the next generation of female leaders in Aotearoa.”
Over $5.3 Million has been allocated through Lottery Grants funding to communities across the country. “I know this funding will have a positive impact on the lives of our wāhine and girls and I encourage everyone to find out more about FIFA Women’s World Cup events and projects near them,” Ms Edmonds said.
Wāhine Toa programme
The Wāhine Toa programme, formed through Waikato Bay of Plenty (WaiBOP) Football, has secured $50,000 in funding from the Department of Internal Affairs ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
The Government announced its Hine Te Hiringa Fund recently, which aims to support regionally led programmes to celebrate and empower women and girls during the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
The Wāhine Toa programme is for girls aged 13-17 to meet other liked minded individuals while improving and better understanding the beautiful game of football.
The programme does not just focus on skills and drills but provides well-being workshops which empower girls to become leaders, coaches, managers, administrators or referees through health promotion, youth mental well-being and development.
Karyn Walters, CEO of WaiBOP Football is grateful for the funding and looking to inspire and encourage young girls within the programme. “We are so grateful for the financial support. Our Wāhine Toa programme takes a holistic approach for rangatahi wāhine to learn and develop, building on their football and futsal knowledge in a fun and safe environment.”
“We feel at this age it is important for females to build self-confidence and esteem, so we will be focusing on providing an environment that will foster these values.”
“With the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 only weeks away, and right here in Hamilton, it is an exciting time for women’s and girls’ football, and we are so pleased some of our up-and-coming players will have this fantastic opportunity.”
Creating better infrastructure
The $50,000 funding will help sustain and expand the programme, including covering the costs of equipment, facilities, staff, and administration, enabling the programme to reach more Māori and ethnic communities and create better connections with other sporting organisations.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 is the biggest female sporting event in the world and kicks off in Hamilton Kirikiriroa from July 22, 2023, to 2 August 2, 2023. The city is hosting five matches during the tournament which is co-hosted between Australia and New Zealand.
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Hamilton.
