With Sunday, 8th March being International Women’s Day, Auckland FC plan to mark the occasion with a number of special initiatives during their match against Perth Glory.
Starting ahead of kick-off, each player will honour an influential woman in their life, with her name featured on the back of their warm-up shirt. Mums, daughters, wives and partners have all been recognised.
The match is designed to recognise, celebrate and amplify the women and girls who play a vital role in our lives, communities and in the continued growth of football across New Zealand.
Each shirt will also carry the number 50, paying tribute to the 50-year ban on women and girls playing football in New Zealand – a powerful reminder of the progress made and the work still to be done.
The fixture also builds on the recent launch of The Next 50, a new initiative by Auckland FC and New Balance designed to ensure the next generation of girls is not lost to the game.
Each year, The Next 50 will support 50 grassroots girls aged 10–14, the critical age group where participation drops off most. Selected players will receive season-long, tangible support, including $500 worth of football gear from New Balance, as well as access to Auckland FC football camps and ongoing training, development and programme support.
Fans are encouraged to be in their seats early to watch a special pre-match video celebrating the 50 selected girls from The Next 50 initiative, who will also take centre stage as the official honour guard for the match. In another powerful show of support, all ball kids for this fixture will be girls.
Adding to the celebration, AKA Brand will be selling dedicated women’s and girls’ merchandise at the game, with pop-up locations in the Family Fan Zone and at the Upper East Stand entrance.
Tickets are available now, with a 3pm kick-off making it the perfect Sunday afternoon for families, friends and grassroots teams to attend together.
Tickets can be purchased here.
