THE GEELONG football community rallied together to take part in a highly successful promotion for female football participation at last Saturday’s Pako Festa event in Geelong West.

Photo: FFV Zone Development officer Foddy Kyprian walking in the Pako Festa parade behind the girls from the Bell Park Soccer Club (Photo: Bec Horrocks)

Organised by the Geelong Region Football Committee, the sport’s contribution to the popular annual multi-cultural festival included participation in the street parade as well as manning an information booth, with both activities co ordinate by FFV’s Zone Development Officer for the wider Geelong region, Foddy Kyprian.

According to Kyprian, the promotion was hugely successful.

“We gave away a lot of flyers promoting our various clubs and there was a lot of interest from many people wanting to take up the sport – not just girls but boys as well,” he said.

The information booth saw several clubs from the region take hourly shifts in giving away promotional flyers, English Premier League playing cards and FFV memorabilia such as drink bottles and mini soccer balls.

“A massive ‘thank-you’ to those clubs that were involved on the day, who provided volunteers at the info booth as well as the girls who took part in the parade. All up, we had something like 70 girls in the parade, from a heap of different clubs.

“It was great to see them looking resplendent in their various club strips, enjoying the day and promoting the sport they love so much,” added Kyprian.

The ZDO is hoping next year’s Pako Festa will see an even bigger and better football presence.

“Next year, the aim will be to promote not just girls’ football, but also our junior boys as well with the sport set to grow locally at such an incredible rate in the next couple of years,” concluded Foddy Kyprian.