NEWS DESK
COVID recovery goal for women’s soccer Liz Bell liz@mpnews.com.au FEMALE soccer was been going from strength to strength on the Mornington Peninsula, until COVID hit in 2020. Mount Martha Soccer Club is on a mission to encourage the return of females to the sport after two years of disruption. The club has an opportunity to do so with the Go Soccer Mums program, which was started in 2019 with Football Victoria and VicHealth. Committee member and recovered stroke sufferer Shelley Christie said the program at Mount Martha was called Women’s Social Soccer – Go Soccer Mums, as it is promoted not just to mothers, but females from all walks of life. “I am very passionate about this and getting it back up and running for 2022-23 as the World Cup is hitting our shores next year and it will be great to women and girls start playing this wonderful game,” she said. “I used to play as a girl and stopped … it’s in my family, my uncle played for Scotland. “I only started again after I had a stroke and heart surgery in 2019 at the age of 45, and the program really helped me get back out there and gain some confidence and help with my rehab. “I think after all we have been through with covid and the last
Planking for support
OWN goal: Shelley Christie and Vicki Lawrenson are behind Mount Martha Soccer Club’s aim to revive its women’s social soccer program. Picture: Yanni
two years that we really need to help women get back out there, try something new or come back to the game.” Christie said it was important to support women struggling to do something for themselves or coming back from disease or mental health. “We are a supportive bunch, I don’t know where I would be today if I didn’t hit that registration button, much to my husband’s dismay,” she said.
Christie said the program uses soccer as the vehicle for “getting out there” and connecting with other women in the peninsula. “It’s fun, inclusive, a great way to meet new people and stay connected in the community. It doesn’t matter what skill/fitness level you have; we are all different and it’s all about learning and having fun,” she said. Female Football Week is on until 15
May and the club’s Women’s Social – Go Soccer mums program started back last week on Wednesday nights. The club is also promoting its gala day for Women’s Football 7s at Civic Reserve, Mount Martha’s home ground on 14 May. For details on the club and how to be a part of it email Christie at shelleymmsoccermums@gmail.com
IT is claimed that a planking a day is good for the body and the mind and Mornington resident Jacky Howgate hopes it’s also a good way to raise money for Breast Cancer Network Australia. Howgate, pictured above, will be planking at least one minute every day in May and is asking peninsula residents to back her. She has committed to doing an extra minute of planking for every donation she receives. Last year Howgate raised $3500 with a “pink picnic”, after one of her best friends in the UK had to undergo cancer treatment. “In my lifetime I can count seven acquaintances that have been affected by breast cancer,” she said. “It means a lot to me, and this is something I can do to help.” Howgate has a Facebook profile and is inviting readers to support her with a small donation or words of encouragement at facebook.com/donate/3068305806716521/
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Mornington News
10 May 2022
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