Girls and Women's Month 2026 is underway, with some fantastic activities happening across the region. 

If you have an event that's not yet on our event calendar here then please send it through. If you have photos of your events you've like us to share on social media, either message them through Facebook, or email them here: girlsandwomen@waibop.co.nz 

This email contains:

• Information & template links for New Zealand Football's #yourmove campaign
• Gender Equity Framework and Action Plan
• Female Only Coaching Courses
• Female referee opportunities

New Zealand Football's Campaign - #yourmove 

In March, New Zealand Football is delivering a nationwide Girls & Women’s Month campaign - “Your Move.”

This is a national celebration of girls and women in football and futsal.

The campaign focuses on recognising and growing female participation across playing, coaching, refereeing and leadership. Each week in March highlights a different area of the game and provides simple ways your club can take part.

What you can do to get involved:
1. Access and download the campaign assets for your federation and the Girls and Women guide via this link – https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/community/girls-and-women. Access editable canva files here 
2. Please read through the Girls & Women’s Club Guide, this outlines the campaign, weekly themes and simple ideas your club can implement.
3. Choose activities that suit your club and follow the Celebrate, Act, Commit framework across the month. Some examples for each week has been included in the guide.
4. Share your content using #YourMove so we can amplify it nationally.

Even small actions at club level can make a meaningful difference.

This is a great opportunity to celebrate the girls and women already part of your club, while taking simple steps to strengthen inclusion and grow participation moving forward.

If you have any questions or need support, please get in touch.

We’re looking forward to seeing your club get involved.

Gender Equity Action Framework and Action Plan

WaiBOP Football launched its Gender Equity Framework and Action Plan, outlining a clear pathway to strengthen women and girls’ football across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty region.

View the Gender Equity Plan

The Gender Equity Action Plan sets a clear direction through to 2030, with measurable targets designed to increase participation and improve the football experience for women and girls.

This plan gives both WaiBOP Football and our clubs a shared framework to guide decisions and actions that support the growth of women and girls’ football.

By 2030, WaiBOP Football aims to see:

• 40 percent of players being women and girls
• 40 percent female representation in leadership roles
• 20 percent growth in women coaches
• 25 percent of referees being women
• 75 percent of women and girls feeling their club is committed to gender equity 

What is Equity?

Equity means fairness in how people are treated, supported and given opportunities.

It recognises that people do not all start from the same place. Because of that, different support or resources may be needed so everyone can participate and succeed.

In practice, equity focuses on removing barriers and creating conditions where everyone has a fair chance.

Equity vs Equality ​​​​​​​

Equality means giving everyone the same thing.

Equity means giving people what they need to reach the same opportunity.

The goal is not identical treatment, but fair access, fair opportunities and fair outcomes.

For our referees & those who want to get into refereeing:

Women and Girls refereeing 101
For the WOMEN there will be the opportunity to become a GAME DAY LEADER (which will support your ability to coordinate children's football games), while the GIRLS will have the opportunity to have a go at FUN WITH FLAGS (a fun practical experience that goes over the basics of using a whistle and flags in football).

Come as a Mother and Daughter combo, or come solo – this workshop welcomes wāhine of all ages!

Saturday 21st  10am-12pm held at Sport Waikato.
Register here: https://forms.gle/ZD4xjDNMicr8n8B56

Wāhine Workshop #3 - Connect with & learn from Female Officials, led by former FIFA WWC officials

This WaiBOP workshop is for anyone who is a current or aspiring official, or anyone interested in connecting with female football officials in the WaiBOP federation.

• Observing a female trio in action; 
• Joining the pre match & halftime talks; 
• Info on game preparation.

Saturday 21st 1.30-3.30pm TBC (dependent on game time) at Gower Park.
Register here: https://forms.gle/dXxBK2KctbJxuMhz6

Coach Education - Female Only

Our coach education courses for community coaching are free, and offered across the region in partnership with clubs. If and when there is demand, we are happy to offer female only courses. 

We have one female only Junior Level 1 course scheduled at the moment, in Tauranga. 

While this is offered at Otumoetai, this can be attended by anyone from any club. If a female only space might encourage some of your members to take up coaching, this could be an option you could promote. 

Junior Level 1 - Female Only
Friday 1st May 2026
Fergusson Park, Otumoetai
Starts 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Register: https://nzflearn.co.nz/?p=78256

https://www.waibopfootball.co.nz/coach-education

Club Admin Dashboard

Our club admin dashboard is the place to bookmark for all club communication. https://www.sporty.co.nz/waibopclubadmindashboard

Why am I getting this email?

This email is for club contacts. This has been sent to all Main Club Contacts and anyone who is a Girls and Women's contact for your club or school.

Please share relevant information within your club.

We’ll email you when there’s significant information you should know. It’s part of our commitment to keeping you in the loop.

If there’s anyone in your club that you feel should be getting these Girls & Women emails, please send us their email address and we’ll add them to the distribution list.

rachel.l@waibop.co.nz