Dartmouth club scores role in national soccer event for women, girls

A Dartmouth soccer club will play a part in a national event dedicated to women and girls in the sport later this month.

United DFC is one of three clubs in the country that will be presenting to an event hosted by Canada Soccer called IDEA Day, which stands for inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility.

The national organization made the announcement on Friday to coincide with International Women’s Day.

Female leaders at the club will speak at a national conference, held virtually, about what they have been doing to tackle gender-related barriers.

That includes “creating a space where young girls can come out and they see coaches who are women, who are girls, who are gender-diverse individuals,” said Kim Wallace, a volunteer and former board member with the club.

Wallace will be speaking about the W-Inspire program the club developed as a way to share ideas on making the sport more inclusive.

W-Inspire began as a full-day conference in 2019. The event has since spurred followup conferences, creating a platform that has become a support network for women and gender-diverse people.

New programs attracting beginners

United DFC recently launched a pair of related programs.

“Some really magical stuff is happening,” said Susan Steele, community staff coach with the club.

The Safe Space program is for players who might not be comfortable in “conventional gender-based soccer teams.” The sessions are tailored for teenagers “where ability and gender are not factors,” the club says.

The Women’s Beginner Kickaround program is for those who may never have played the game before.

Both were launched in January, Steele said, and the beginners program has since grown to about 30 participants, with an average age of 47.

“I think it’s brilliant,” said Sara McConaghy, director of community and fund development with Canada Soccer. “If you’re going to try something, learn something new, do something different, creating a space that is welcoming of that entry level is far better received.”

McConaghy said one of Canada Soccer’s goals is for the sport to be open and inclusive.

United DFC has valuable experience to share, she said.

“They’re definitely a club that other clubs should listen and learn from, and that is exactly what we’re looking to do with women and girls IDEA Day.”

The event will take place March 21.