New Football West Dads and Daughters program comes to Albany to promote soccer skills, bonding and bravery

A new Football West program aimed at helping dads and their daughters bond over a shared passion for soccer kicked off in Albany this week.

The launch of the Dads and Daughters eight-week program on Monday attracted 10 fathers and 11 daughters for a kickabout on the pitch near the east pavilion in North Road.

The program will run over the next seven weeks with Football West Great Southern community participation officer Ches Leonard saying it was an opportunity for girls to enjoy sport with their fathers.

“It’s a great chance for girls to enjoy a bit of rough and tumble with their dads,” he said.

“It’s about empowering girls to play sport, to make them brave.

“Being brave was the main topic of the first session.”

The program, which encompasses skills and fun challenges, was developed at the University of Newcastle in New South Wales with WA being the first State to run it.

It launched last year in Bunbury and was a great success, especially as fathers came to realise they didn’t only have to share a love of soccer with their sons.

Football West chief executive Jamie Harnwell attended the launch.

The sessions run on Mondays at the east pavilion in Centennial Park, starting at 5.15pm.