The New Zealand side took time out from their preparations for Thursday’s clash with the Westfield Matildas to chat to media and invited guests on their journey towards the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada and also the role football plays in their lives.
FIFA delegate Charlotte Kight spoke on the role of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in promoting the sport worldwide while Football Ferns captain Abby Erceg and fullback Ria Percival were honoured for becoming the first New Zealand players – male or female – to record 100 senior international caps for their country.
New Zealand Football Women’s Development Manager Maia Jackman said the event had several key objectives.
“The tour aims to raise the profile of the Women’s World Cup in Canada in June with FIFA bringing out the trophy to all the member associations who have qualified,” Jackman said.
“The Live Your Goals aspect of the event is around how the World Cup is the biggest sporting event for women in the world and can to inspire young girls to take up football and realise they can live their dreams and goals through football.”
As part of the event, Football Ferns coach Tony Readings outlined the journey of his side towards their third successive FIFA World Cup tournament, something Jackman says is a sign the female game continues to thrive on Kiwi shores.
“It’s a really good indication that women’s football in New Zealand is getting stronger and stronger. We qualified in 2007 for the first time since 1991 and we’ve qualified ever since. The team is getting better and better and, because of this, growth at grassroots level is benefitting with more girls wanting to play the game the Ferns are excelling at.
“Seeing these girls on the world stage is inspiring for our young players and seeing the pathways that can be taken. The strength of the Football Ferns is in the girls that have been there for a while but also in the ones who are coming through – the ones who were seven and eight year-olds in 2007.
Jackman – herself capped 50 times at international level for New Zealand, and a previous team mate of a host of players in the squad – says it was an honour to be involved in the presentation to Erceg and Percival; two players who serve as ideal ambassadors for their sport.
“It was a pretty special moment for everybody involved. The great thing about the girls is that they continuously talk about each other and how they’ve all helped get the team to where they are.
“Abby and Ria have reached their 100 caps but they’ll always tell you it’s because of the team mates, the coaching staff and the support they get.
“They are fantastic role models, not just Abby and Ria, but the whole team. They really immerse themselves in the Football Ferns culture and they put everything into that team to be the best they can be. They are very unassuming and very humble people and footballers. It’s a very Kiwi thing; very humble but [they] play their heart out on the field.
“They are great role models for the game, society and for women in sport.”
The Live Your Goals Tour continues on Thursday with a football festival at Bill McKinlay Park in Auckland today from 4.30pm to 5.45pm before the Football Ferns meet the Westfield Matildas at 7pm.
Tickets for the match are available at the gate with Adults $10 and Children (5-15) $5. Under 5s are FREE.
Courtesy NZF Media. For more on New Zealand football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz.

Share