As membership soars and community support booms, one SA soccer team is proving the power of women’s sport – backed by a state government grant.
The Adelaide Jaguars is more than just a soccer club – it’s a sign of the times. In the past five years its membership has exploded from 70 to 330, making it one of the largest female-only soccer clubs in the state.
With 75 dedicated volunteers and a community of more than 1000 supporters, the Jags represent the new wave of women lacing up their boots to play traditionally male sports. While soccer is seeing the most growth, thanks to the Matildas, Australian girls and women are also turning out for footy, rugby and cricket in ever-increasing numbers.
But there’s still a long way to go before women’s sport is supported on a par with men’s, according to Jaguars Chairperson Bronny Brooks. “This year we had to turn away more than 100 girls and women of all ages because we need more coaches, more pitch availability, lighting and infrastructure,” she says.
The Power of Her: Fuelling the future of women’s sport
That’s where the state government’s The Power of Her Infrastructure and Participation Program (IPP) comes in. The program aims to build on the legacy of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup by providing funding for upgrades to facilities, equipment and programs for girls’ and women’s sport in South Australia.
The grants are worth $18m in total over three years, with $10m quarantined for soccer programs and infrastructure improvements.
What it means for the Jaguars
The Adelaide Jaguars Women’s and Girls’ Soccer Club was one of 24 clubs around the state to receive a first round IPP grant. The $7000 funding will make soccer more accessible to women in the community. Bronny says the grant money will provide a support program for women who usually miss out on club sport due to lack of time or confidence. “That means programming that is flexible enough for their schedules, plus the obvious things they need like equipment and uniforms,” she says.
“There’s a flow on effect from developing these programs – if your mum goes to play sport, then you’re more likely to play sport as well. The Power of Her is fantastic in terms of its intention, and it’s definitely a step in the right direction towards future opportunities for women in sport.
“It’s also created a conversation about the need for more funding and support for women’s sport, at all levels of community and government.”
Empowering women through sport
Founded in 2009 by Craig Schoof to create more opportunities for his daughters in a male-dominated sport, the Adelaide Jaguars currently operates out of a shared facility at Jubilee Reserve, West Lakes Shore.
Bronny, who won the 2023 Westfield Local Heroes Award for her six years of volunteering at the club, says it’s the Jags’ culture and community that make it stand out. “It’s quite striking when you’re within it,” she says. The Jaguars are “all about creating joy through football through a club dedicated to the love of the game”.
Bronny says she loves watching the girls play. “I am passionate about creating opportunities for them and empowering them within sport to take those steps forward. We’re not all going to end up playing at a high level, but we can all be enriched by life lessons from sport. It teaches confidence, leadership, teamwork and gives girls and young women who might be having a tough time elsewhere in their lives a safe, inclusive space to come and feel supported.”
Meet Mariah
For Mariah Vladimirova, soccer has always been more than just a game – it’s a way of life. Starting at age seven and playing for Adelaide Uni’s club by 10, Mariah was part of the Premiership league at 16. However, a devastating ACL injury in 2019 forced her to step away from the sport she loved. “It wiped me out, both physically and mentally,” she says.
But after five years on the sidelines, Mariah is back playing with the Jaguars Div 4 team this season. “The moment I stepped back on the field, I was so stoked. It felt like coming home,” she says. The Jaguars offered a sense of belonging and support that she hadn’t found in some of her previous clubs.
“At every other club I played for, the boys would always get all the funding, the main change rooms, the new gear, and we would get last year’s leftovers. So when I saw there was an all-female club, I thought it was the best thing ever.”
The power of team sport
For Mariah, her Jaguars Div 4 team represents everything she loves about team sports. “We’ve got the biggest mixed bag at the club. Our youngest is 16 and our eldest is in her 40s. It definitely represents what community means to the Jags. Everyone has a go; everyone’s involved. It doesn’t matter what your age is – it’s all about your dedication.”
“It’s definitely very positive. And even though we’re successful, it’s not all about winning – winning’s just the cherry on top. We just want to play well and play together.
“With team sport, you just get the best of everything: the physical advantages, the goals for your team, the competition on the day, and the socialisation. It’s just a mixture of everything.
“The camaraderie and the learning are what I love most about soccer. You’re there to work together, to forgive and encourage. Plus soccer is very technical, so there’s always something to learn. No matter what your age, there is always room for growth in this sport.”
The Jaguars’ culture of inclusion extends beyond the pitch. “It’s a culture where people want to come. Even if you’re injured, you can hang out, collect balls and still be part of the team. Lots of people are around even if they’re not playing, and our team goes out for family dinner or game day lunch once a week too.”
Volunteering: The glue that holds clubs together
Despite the positive environment at the Jaguars, challenges remain to allow for future growth, says Mariah. “We still have to go for grants, and everyone’s volunteering to coach, run the canteen, and clean up the change rooms. It’s not like it’s a rich club at all. But I think you get a better sense of community because people are there for the right reasons.”
Bronny also attributes the club’s success to its culture and the unwavering support of its volunteers. “Volunteering is such an important part of all community sports, and we wouldn’t be able to exist without our volunteers. They’re like angels for our women and girls,” says Bronny.
The future of women’s soccer
Bronny’s long-term vision for the future of the club is to create a dedicated community hub where women can always feel they belong, no matter where they are in life. “The idea that I have for our women in the future is that we create a space where it doesn’t matter where the women are in their life – if they’ve played at Jags at some point, that’s always their home they can come back to, even if it’s just for dinner or a chat.”
She’s optimistic that it will happen eventually, and says the cultural shift inspired by the Matildas is already having a positive impact. “One of my favourite things about the Matildas being so successful is young boys wanting to be like Charli Grant when they grow up or wanting to wear Mackenzie Arnold’s goalkeeper kit. That’s such a positive thing for our society – especially when those boys grow up to be men.”
Applications for the second round of The Power of Her Infrastructure and Participation Program open soon. Find out how to apply here.
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