Football NSW’s Daughters and Dads program was recognised for its achievements after receiving the ‘Community Based Initiative Award’ at the recent NSW/ACT Parks Leisure Association awards of excellence.
These annual awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding initiatives and innovative efforts of ‘The people behind the places’ which promote good use of leisure time for a number of social, environmental and economic benefits to the community.
The ‘Community Based Initiative Award is designed to recognise the combined effort that is required to successfully plan, organise and manage effective initiatives, projects, programs, events and/or festivals which promote and enhance leisure time for a number of social, environmental and economic benefits to the community.
The Daughters and Dads Football Program engages fathers (or male role models) and their primary school-aged daughters in football to enhance social-emotional well-being.
The program was developed by Professor Philip Morgan and the University of Newcastle and is supported by the NSW Football Legacy Program.
Structured over 9 weeks to align with school terms, it fosters values like bravery, persistence and resilience.
With over 630 participating families since July 2022 across Football NSW and Northern NSW Football, the program is designed to break traditional gender stereotypes, promote positive familial relationships, and encourage physical activity through the sport of football.
Currently partnering with City of Parramatta, there will be a Daughters and Dads program commencing in Term 3 at Roselea.