Why are Southern Football driving girls-only leagues and changes in the G&W Space?

In 2022 New Zealand Football announced its “Bridging the Gap” strategy. Outlining a timeline for the National Women’s League to become club-based and initiatives to make football more attractive to girls and women. In response to this strategy, Football South began a review process of the current situation regarding the girl's and women’s space within our federation.

As part of the review process, a survey was conducted in August 2022 on players born between 2003 and 2016. The purpose of this survey was to further investigate the current environments in which girls play football in our federation as well as to provide insight into the preferences of these players for 2023 and beyond.

After evaluation of the survey, the formation of the bridging the gap working group and consultation with clubs a plan was devised aiming to develop the girl’s space in our federation to meet the needs and wants of our junior and youth female players.

We would like to extend a huge thank you to the Bridging the Gap working group and clubs for their feedback, insight and patience with this process. 2023 is going to be a big year for girl's and women’s football in Dunedin and we can’t wait to see our clubs and members continue to want to learn, develop and enhance this space in the Future.

Please note that while the current changes have a focus on the Dunedin area. We are currently in talks with our regions on devising strategies specific to our regional areas.