Soccer

Soccer is the world’s game, and it’s a great way to get active, have a lot of fun and make new friends as part of a team.

You don’t have to be the next Sam Kerr or want to play for the Matildas (Australia women’s national soccer team), to make soccer your new sport. Whatever your age, ability or background is, there are a range of women’s soccer groups and programs all over the state, just waiting to welcome you into their community.

On this page we look at:

  • How his Girl Can – Victoria Ambassador Emine found confidence and community with social soccer, which includes a bit of dancing!
  • Women’s soccer information
  • Futsal and walking football
  • Try soccer as a beginner or after a break through ‘Soccer Mums’
  • How Jaime got back into soccer after having a baby
  • How to find a welcoming soccer club for women and girls
  • Can’t get out right now? At-home tips

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How Emine found confidence and community with social soccer, which includes a bit of dancing!

After a nervous beginning, soccer has become the cornerstone of Emine’s life, but her team doesn’t just play soccer – they dance! “I felt nervous, and it was kind of scary because you don’t know anything. I haven’t played football and I wasn’t fit, that’s why it was scary because I didn’t know if I was able to play,” she explained. Emine has gone from emigrating from Turkey with no friends, to being part of a women’s social soccer community in Melbourne that meets for breakfast before they play – both parents and kids! “We dance to warm up, and we dance at the end,” she laughed, “we always lose but we dance, we’re always dancing.”

Women’s soccer information

Does soccer sound like the game for you? Here’s where to find more information on having a go.

Football Victoria provides a range of resources to get started playing women’s soccer in Melbourne and regional Victoria. There’s a number of different forms of soccer for women to play, so you can choose to play at the skill level and speed you’re comfortable with.

Visit Play Football to find a women’s soccer club in Melbourne or regional Victoria near you.

Local women’s soccer clubs offer a range of programs, soccer classes and women’s social soccer team competitions, so it’s easy to get involved and learn the game as a beginner. You can be any age, have any ability level and background. All that matters is you’re willing to give it a try!

Two women playing soccer on a field

Futsal and walking football for women

Made famous in the streets of Brazil, futsal is a fun indoor soccer game that’s played with 5-a-side and a smaller ball.

Futsal is also very social, making it a great way to make new friends and enjoying being part of a team. It’s a great way to learn soccer for women and girls, and a form of the game many women are already playing and loving. Learn more about playing Futsal in Melbourne.

If you like the idea of playing soccer but don’t have a need for speed, Walking Football was designed just for you! It’s a low-impact game that’s been modified to a walking pace – making it perfect for all abilities and fitness, as well as those returning to being active after a break.

Two women playing soccer

Football Victoria runs several walking football programs in partnership with Active Ageing Australia. It’s safe, fun and provides a social environment for women to discover or play a game they enjoy.

Try soccer as a beginner or after a break with Soccer Mums

Are you a mum who never got to try your hand … err … foot at soccer? GO Soccer Mums is here to get you in the game!

Designed for mums but open to women of all ages, this fun, social women’s soccer program will teach you how to play soccer with the basics, regardless of your skill level.

Alternatively, kick the ball around by yourself or with a friend at your local park. Some parks even have a dedicated soccer pitch.

How Jaime got back into soccer after having a baby

Jaime always loved to play soccer, having played since she was ten. But with the birth of her son, her body changed and so did her confidence in her skills. Jaime worried about her “mum belly” jiggling and was scared she couldn’t kick anymore. It was harder than she thought, but today she’s reconnected with her favourite game.

How to find a welcoming soccer club for women and girls

Can’t get out right now?

If you’re not able to make it outside or join a women’s soccer community right now, there are other ways you can get started.

Why not grab a soccer ball and start practicing at home? There are many videos online you can find to start learning some of the basics. Make sure you contact a local women’s soccer club in Melbourne too, as they may have social (or online social) events where you can start meeting some new teammates.

Learn more about This Girl Can – Victoria and how it’s helping women feel good by getting activity in a way that suits them.

You may also want to look at some other sports you can try to get moving in a way that you enjoy. Here are a few similar sports you can have a go at that you might also enjoy.