Caringbah Redbacks Launches Free Football Program for Women & Girls

Caringbah Redbacks Football Club has launched Play On, a program to encourage more women and girls to take up football, come back into the game or to continue playing in a safe and inclusive setting. The free project is intended to promote participation more easily and increase the opportunities for women to enjoy and enjoy the game, whether as a beginner or a returning participant.

The campaign is part of a broader campaign to increase women’s sport and boost community level football. The primary aim of Play On is to alleviate one obstacle for women and girls who are interested in participating in the sport and don't have to pay entry fees.

For women balancing work, education, family responsibilities and personal interests, accessible sporting opportunities can make it easier to maintain an active lifestyle. For younger girls, these kinds of initiatives can also provide an entry point into organised sports, helping them develop their skills, experience teamwork and build connections within their communities.

Key Highlights

• Free Play On program opens football opportunities for women and girls
• Initiative welcomes beginners, returning players and women continuing their football journey
• Club's wider inclusion efforts support female participation in community-level football

The program is part of a wider desire for the greater accessibility of grassroots sports for women and girls. Although the sport of football has seen an increase in interest for women in recent years, there is a need to ensure opportunities are there to start or resume participation to support women of all ages to remain in the sport.

Becoming a member of a football program can be the opportunity to learn the game in a community environment for the beginners. A friendly environment may help those who have already played to get back into the game without the pressure of trying to go back to the level they were at before. The initiative's emphasis on participation therefore addresses different entry points into women's football.

Caringbah Redbacks' wider commitment to inclusion is also reflected in its involvement in Football Australia's Club Changer program. In June 2026, the club announced that it had received one-star recognition under the national club development initiative. By July 31, it was in two-star category with work completed on safeguarding, women and girls engagement, governance and club development.

These are all elements of a wider strategy to make these spaces safer and more enjoyable for everyone - players, coaches, volunteers and families. These settings can be significant for women and girls to make participation in sports more feasible and sustainable in daily life.

The launch of Play On adds to ongoing efforts to widen women's access to football at the local level. The Female Football Week events organised by Football NSW in May 2026 also featured a Caringbah Redbacks event which honoured women in the sport as players, coaches, referees and volunteers. The event was designed to promote the involvement of women in football both on and off the pitch.

The free Play On program is another way to engage women and girls in the game, from the beginning or to get back in. It emphasises participation, which includes accessible sporting initiatives and the opportunities for female players.