March 9th marked the celebration of National MILO Fantails Day, a special occasion dedicated to fostering young female talent in football. This year, Wellington Phoenix took the celebration a step further by offering free child tickets to all girls who attended the MILO Fantails Festival, which took place in the capital on 9th March. This initiative was part of the club's ongoing commitment to making football more accessible and inclusive for young girls, and it coincided with the exciting match-up between the Nix' and Western Sydney Wanderers in the A-League Women.

The MILO Fantails program had been a cornerstone of New Zealand Football’s efforts to encourage girls aged 4-12 to take up football. Designed to attract young female players to the sport, the program focused on fun, skill-building, and social development. MILO Fantails had been operating in clubs across the country, creating a positive, female-focused environment where young girls built confidence, make friends, and enjoyed football without the pressure of competition.

Originally focused on introducing girls to the basic skills of football, the MILO Fantails program evolved into a robust initiative that offered structured skill development. As the program grew, it emphasized both physical and life skills, providing young girls with the tools to succeed both on and off the field. Ball control, teamwork, and communication were just the beginning. Through the program, girls also learned valuable social skills such as collaboration, empathy, and leadership while making lasting friendships with their peers. The focus on a fun and engaging experience helped many girls transition from MILO Fantails into club football, creating a pathway for their continued involvement in the sport.

 

One of the main challenges preventing girls from getting involved in football was the lack of female-specific programs. The MILO Fantails program addressed this issue head-on by offering a female-focused space for girls to play and develop their skills without the pressures of competition. The program worked in partnership with schools, smaller communities, and isolated regions, ensuring that football was accessible to a diverse group of young girls, regardless of their location or background, enabling girls from all walks of life to join.

As the New Zealand Football Women’s Development Manager, Ford Football Fern Annalie Longo played a pivotal role in the MILO Fantails program and in the broader development of women’s football in New Zealand:

“My motivation came from the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young girls. Growing up, we didn’t have the same level of support or visibility in football, and I was determined to change that for the next generation,” said Annalie.

“The MILO Fantails program not only taught football skills, but it helped build confidence, resilience, and leadership in young girls, setting them up for success both on and off the field.”

Annalie believed that the MILO Fantails program was a crucial part of growing the sport in New Zealand. By providing girls with early exposure to football in a positive and supportive setting, the program helped create a pipeline for young female players to transition into more competitive environments. But it wasn’t just about the players; the program also nurtured female coaches, offering them the opportunity to work with young girls and develop their own coaching skills.

In the long term, the aim was to create a system where girls were encouraged and supported to stay involved in football throughout their lives. Whether as players, coaches, or leaders, the MILO Fantails program laid the groundwork for a more inclusive and diverse football culture in New Zealand.

Annalie’s vision for the future of women’s football in New Zealand was one where young girls were consistently encouraged to follow their dreams, whether that meant becoming a professional footballer, a coach, or a leader in the sport. She hoped to see more girls involved in football, not just as players but as referees, administrators, and role models, helping to create a more balanced and inclusive football community.

“Ultimately, we wanted to see a world where girls looked at football as a lifelong pursuit and knew that they had the opportunities and support to continue playing and developing in the sport,” Annalie concluded.

The MILO Fantails program was more than just a football initiative—it was a movement that changed the landscape of women’s football in New Zealand, one young girl at a time. By offering young girls a platform to explore, develop, and enjoy football, it helped build a stronger, more inclusive future for the sport in New Zealand.

Article added: Monday 10 March 2025