The newly-introduced Goulburn Women's Championship is set to begin from July 23, and will run until the grand final on September 24, for a total of ten rounds.

Any players from the age of 15 and older can take part, with games to be played in both Crookwell and Goulburn with either 30 or 35 minute halves.

STFA competition coordinator, Jason Broadbent, said the STFA was "disappointed" that there were not enough numbers for a women's competition in 2019, and said the decision to switch to a midweek competition was made in order to give busy players more flexibility with their playing schedule.

"We were disappointed we couldn't get a local comp up last year, so we wanted to try something different," Broadbent said.

"We know a lot of women in Goulburn like their rugby league and union, so we wanted to give them another option during the week.

"I know one of the teams we had pull back was Crookwell, and a lot of their girls have been playing league tag in the last couple of years."

Since news of a new women's competition was first released by the association, two teams have already confirmed their intent to play, while a third is in the process of finalising its numbers.

At the very least, the STFA hopes for a fourth side to round out the competition.

While it was disappointing for the association to see their women's numbers drop in recent years, Broadbent said it likely had something to do with the rise in popularity of women's sport in general.

"When I came on board with the STFA board, we had a pretty strong women's competition in Goulburn," he said.

"Over the years it's dwindled, and it's led to us sending teams to Canberra and the Southern Highlands. I think a lot of it had to do with the rise of women's rugby league, league tag, and union in town.

"In saying that, we've been slowly but surely rebuilding women's football in Goulburn."

The early signs are good for women's soccer in Goulburn. The number of girl's teams in the junior ranks is growing steadily, and several female teams made junior grand finals in 2019, of which one emerged victorious.

The key, Broadbent said, is to ensure there is a clear pathway for female players once they reach the older age groups.

"There are girls everywhere playing football in Goulburn, we just need to get them through to the women's competition," he said.

"We obviously want to have somewhere for our younger girls to go when they get older and want to keep playing."

Registration for the midweek women's competition is $100, unless the player has already registered in the Saturday competition, in which case they can play for free.

Those wishing to play who aren't already associated with a team will be placed in a composite STFA side.

Anybody looking to play in the Goulburn Women's Championship can register here. Broadbent said the STFA is looking to begin finalising the competition by this weekend, and requested that registrations be completed by this Friday, July 17.

For further information, please visit the STFA Facebook page.

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