ORARA Valley Dingoes hit the back of the net landing a $5,500 grant from the Northern NSW Football Legacy Fund.

The funding will go towards improving coach education, purchasing new equipment, free school holiday clinics and nurturing the growth of female football.

Orara’s Ruby Kenny couldn’t contain her enthusiasm for the upcoming 2023 season.

“We’re super pumped,” she said.

“Registrations opened today (1 February), we already have some pretty good numbers, so it’s pretty exciting.

“The grant resources will go towards improving the field, which will be really cool.”

The Matilda’s kick off their World Cup campaign against Ireland on 20 July 2023 in Sydney which is good news for women’s football.

“We’re hoping to run a ‘Kick On for Women’,” said Ruby.

“We already have thirteen women that are registered, eleven of them haven’t played for us before, so that’s actually really exciting for the club.

“Female football is really big in the area, so for us to grow the club in that aspect is really exciting.

“The Women’s World Cup is definitely a pump-up for us.

“We’ll have our senior women’s team and we are looking for numbers to try and get an over 30’s team.

“We haven’t had one of those at the club before so hopefully we can get the numbers.

“Hopefully some of the girls really enjoy the ‘Kick On for Women’ and decide to join the club this season.”

Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh was delighted to see the benefits at the grassroots and couldn’t resist a kick around with the next generation of footballers.

“From girls and boys lacing up their boots for the first time to participants in our elite development programs, local players will benefit from projects funded through the NSW Football Legacy Program,” Mr Singh said.

“Sport is part of the fabric of our community and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this program has on local football, at all levels.”

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said these projects and programs will ensure the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 leaves a lasting legacy for football across the state.

“Having the World Cup on home soil is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will inspire young girls and boys to lace up the boots and emulate their football heroes,” Mr Henskens said.

“With six months to go before the tournament kicks off, there is already an enormous buzz around football and this program will help local clubs capitalise on excitement by running programs that will boost participation in the sport.

“It will also deliver funding to improve infrastructure, creating more modern and accessible facilities for communities across NSW.”

The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 will feature 32 teams competing in 64 matches across Australia and New Zealand during July and August with seven games at Allianz Stadium and four at Accor Stadium, including a Semi Final and the Final.

By David WIGLEY