March is New Zealand Football’s Girls’ and Women’s Month, and 2025 will see over 100 events taking place across Aotearoa to celebrate, giving more people the opportunity to experience the beautiful game.

Football is booming across the country, with 2025 set to be the biggest year yet for New Zealand’s largest team sport.

For girls and women, participation has surged, with a 27% increase in player numbers since before the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.

This March, events will be held across all six football federations, alongside a number of initiatives led by New Zealand Football, including a series of free webinars designed to connect participants nationwide in playing, coaching, refereeing, and administration.

The playing webinar, taking place on 10 March at 8 PM NZT, will feature Ford Football Ferns Claudia Bunge (Melbourne Victory), Manaia Elliott (Wellington Phoenix), and Kate Taylor (Dijon FCO), with host Annalie Longo (Wellington Phoenix). 

They will share their experiences as professional players, competing internationally, and participating in major tournaments.

Sign up to the webinar with the Ford Football Ferns on 10 March

For details on all events and to sign up for New Zealand Football’s other webinars, visit the Girls' and Women's Month hub. 

Another key event this month is National Milo Fantails Day on 9 March, celebrating Milo Fantails, a legacy programme from the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, which has introduced over 5,000 young girls to football for the first time at Milo Fantails hubs across the country. 

For National Milo Fantails Day there will be events taking place across the country including free Milo tasting sessions in Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington. 

New Zealand Football Women’s Development Officer Annalie Longo said:

“It has been brilliant to see the growth in the women’s game, especially after the FIFA Women’s World Cup, but we don’t want to be complacent and that’s why initiatives like Girls’ and Women’s Month are so important.

“This March, there will be opportunities across the country for girls and women to experience the game, whether through Milo Fantails, school football, ‘have a go’ days, or webinars, and we hope to provide a range of options for people to get involved in a way that suits them.

“There are thousands of amazing women involved in football and futsal across Aotearoa New Zealand and this month gives us a great opportunity to celebrate their work and for them to share their experiences. 

“It would be fantastic if a young girl experiences something this month that sparks a lifelong love of the game so we want to see as many people take part as possible.”

If you want to be involved in Girls’ and Women’s month visit the Girls’ and Women’s Month hub on the New Zealand Football website for some ideas and to access our tool kit. 

Article added: Tuesday 04 March 2025