Dunoon United Football Club, Dunoon and District Gazette

More than half of Dunoon United FC’s footballers this season are female – and it’s believed this is first time any club in the region has achieved the feat.

“After years of pushing female participation we’ve finally broken the 50 per cent barrier,” said club president Simon Webster. “It’s something that everyone in the club should be proud of.”

Football Far North Coast general manager Steve Mackney described it as an outstanding achievement.

“I believe this is the first time ever that a local club has achieved 50 per cent female participation,” he said.

“Female participation nationally is about 24 per cent, making the situation at Dunoon even more impressive and one that will inspire even more females to get involved with the game.”

Matildas legend Julie Dolan and Football Australia women’s technical director Rae Dower had both sent messages of support for DUFC’s achievement, Mackney said.

DUFC puts an emphasis on forming female-only teams from a young age, recently added new female changing rooms to its facilities thanks to a federal government grant, and hosted an all-female coaching course, put on by Northern NSW Football.

Webster said the DUFC committee was working on plans to make female football at the club even stronger.

“Now more than 50 per cent of our players are female, we’d love to have 50 per cent female committee members, coaches and referees, too,” he said.

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This article appeared in the Dunoon and District Gazette, June – July 2023.