By Rhiana Whitson (ABC Gippsland)

It's 5.30pm on a Thursday and the home ground of the Traralgon Olympians is buzzing with activity.

That's the way Paul Crowe from the Gippsland Soccer League likes it, in fact, the football manager would like to see even more girls and women out there on soccer pitches around the region.

There has been a 35 per cent increase in the number of Victorian girls who play soccer since 2007, according to Football Federation Victoria research.

By the end of 2015, FFV would like to double the current number of female players from 11,000 to 22,000.

That's a level of participation Paul Crowe would like to see reflected across Gippsland.

The challenge, he says, is to not only encourage girls to play, but to retain players beyond the age of 14.

In Gippsland, a lack of girls teams often means girls need to compete in boys teams.

"Research shows girls need to play against each other, it needs to be a social activity and they should be praised," says Paul.

Ray Petesic, coach of Traralgon Olympians under 17 girls team, says girls are lighter on their feet, more agile, disciplined and take instructions better than their male counterparts.

"I often say to the boys, you've got to come down here and watch these girls, they're absolutely great and you could learn a lot from them," he laughs.

Molly has played for the Traralgon Olympians for two years.

The 16-year-old says she loves getting up every Saturday knowing she'll be on the soccer pitch, playing against her friends.

"I just love it, it makes me feel good, I'm keeping fit and making friends all the time," says Molly.

 

To listen to the Podcast visit - http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2012/08/29/3578740.htm?site=gippsland