Today’s feature story for rebel Female Football Week is focusing our rebel FFW Administrator of the Year Award winner, Lisa Duhig.
Lisa is hard working and consistently driving ALDI MiniRoos for Girls participation.
Lisa is a valued contributor to the growth of Football In the Hunter Valley and on behalf of Northern NSW Football, we would like to thank her immensely for her continued work in developing female opportunities in her club.
Name: Lisa Duhig
Club: Lochinvar Rovers FC
Roles within Football: Secretary and Coach
How you got involved in Football and why?
The Club was folding when our eldest child was about to start playing and we had some time personally and attended an emergency AGM. This is where it all began! I love sport and I love to see people play and enjoy sport.
How has football influenced you?
It has shown me how you can connect a community and engage every single person in an all-inclusive sport. Teaching parents, children and coaches the importance of fun, team building and exercise.
It has helped me show others that, females, not only enjoy sport but succeed and thrive with it.
Girls need to learn basic skills like kicking a ball!
I coached Under 6’s this year, which had three girls including my daughter. At the beginning of the season the parents of the boys had low expectations about the team and the girls. By the end, the girls were kicking as many, or more goals than the boys and we had to adjust our play to give the other teams a chance!
Women who have never played or not since they were children have come along to our Summer 6s, and literally had a ball! Often, they also backed up and played mixed, despite their reluctance initially to play women’s!
It is great to see so many became active and have a great time!
Best football moment?
Our first Summer 6s Season where we held our first girls-only games. We also had ladies-only Kicks and Giggles with Mums!
Seeing people that wouldn’t have tried football otherwise, get out and have a kick!
Also watching our girls play at the Matilda’s halftime activation games was pretty amazing!
What would you tell someone thinking of getting involved with football?
Do it!
And don’t be scared to coach either, mixed or girls-only!
The training and support is there (to become a coach/game leader), it isn’t about being a football player, but rather facilitating the core skills and ensuring the kids have fun with friends while being active!
Football is great for the mind and body!
