Mainland Football’s girls and women’s month starts next week – with Katie Adams at the centre of it.
Running throughout March, the campaign aims to boost female participation in football through give-it-a-go sessions for young girls, refereeing courses, coaching clinics, and workshops for those interested in sports administration.
Adams, Mainland Football’s women and girls lead, said this would be her first time being involved in the full girls and women’s month – she joined halfway through the event last year. Having more time to plan and dedicate to the event has made a significant difference, she said.
“It’s so much better (this year) – being more planned and actually having someone dedicated in the role that can lead it,” she said.
The initiative is one Adams wishes had existed when she was younger, as football opportunities for girls were much more limited.
“ I used to play football when I was younger, but I came across a few barriers and left the sport,” she said.
“I’m all about the value of sport, what it means and what you learn through it. That’s why I’m passionate as well – I don’t want girls to have the experience that I had.”
She picked up the sport while at Marian College, playing for the school’s team and also at New Brighton AFC – who have since merged with Rangers to form Coastal Spirit.
After moving to Dunedin in 2004 to study at Otago University, a lack of connections, knowledge of local clubs, and not owning a car led to her giving up the sport.
A key part of Mainland Football’s focus for girls and women’s month is the Fantails programme – fun sessions for girls aged 5-12, aimed at getting them into the sport.
Adams said seeing young girls getting involved was one of her favourite aspects of the job.
“ Seeing their giggles and laughs, the friendships that come from it, all the little things, I think it’s really special.
“ Finding the fun, or the connection and sense of belonging that a sport or an activity can give people, it’s been a huge thing for me in my life.”
That passion extends to Adams’ own children, Scarlett, 4, and Zoe, 7, who have both participated in Fantails.
“ We would go along to Rawhiti Domain and hang out with the Fantails there. Sometimes they would join in and sometimes they wouldn’t, and that’s totally fine. We don’t push anything,” she said.
Since launching in 2023, Fantails has introduced more than 1000 girls to football and continues to grow.
In addition to Mainland Football, Cashmere Technical began running its own Fantails sessions last year, and this year Halswell United, Nomads, Ferrymead Bays and Ōtakaro FC will also join the initiative.
The first Fantails session of the year is on Monday at the Avon Hub, hosted by Ōtakaro, with a festival involving all clubs to be held at English Park on Sunday, March 9.
