The Gerringong Breakers “over 30s” women’s football team has reached the Grand Final against their rivals from Jamberoo. Taryn Sams is the female coordinator for Gerringong Breakers. She is passionate about the game and showing the younger generation of girls that soccer isn’t a “boys sport” as it has been previously perceived and that they can be confident, succeed, and enjoy the game comfortably with all girls teams from the age of eight.She tells The Bugle that this is the first year together for the current team. Action shot (from Brian Scott): of Ange Bowen “We have a few new ladies that have joined and are playing their first ever year of football, however a lot of us have been playing together in other grades for Gerringong Breakers since we were juniors and have played together on and off for many years.” Taryn has twin sisters who have all been playing together for the last four years in the same team. She says, “Our family has been involved in Gerringong Breakers Soccer club for 35 years plus.”Fifty per cent of the Gerringong Breakers team are mums, proving the importance of women’s sports in Australia for mums and everyone involved. “It’s a great way to socialise and enjoy time with friends while exercising,” Taryn says. The team trains once a week and plays once a week on a Sunday. They face opponents from Gerringong all the way to Helensburgh. This all happens in between kids, travel, injury etc. The Gerringong Breakers did make the Grand Final match a few years ago and were undefeated all year but later lost the Grand Final against Dapto. Taryn says, “We were playing Division 4 then. Some, like my sisters, did not qualify to over 30s at that time.”Some interesting recent history: Gerringong played Thirroul in the Semi-final on 13 August and won in penalties 4-1 (One all draw at full time, 10 minute each way extra time and then a penalty shootout). The day after, the Matildas also won with penalties. Taryn recalls, “We played in difficult conditions; it rained for the whole 90 minutes!” Taryn reflects, “The success of the Matildas has done such a lot for females in football, in particular I am excited for the positive change and to see our club and game grow as more females join the game! This is also why I’m pushing to get more female facilities to accommodate the growing game.” Left; Tayla Kidd, Centre; Taryn Sams, right; Madelaine McinerneyThere is a community project underway to upgrade facilities at Gerry Emery Reserve to facilitate females in sport, as there are no female changing rooms and limited toilets. John Trevenar, a life member of the Gerringong Breakers Football Club, has spent almost two years working on this community project. The women are very grateful for Mr Trevenar's hard work in getting the project off the ground. Taryn has told The Bugle that “Kiama Council has advised that a revised consent for the DA was approved in July 2023. Council via our Project Manager have been working through issues around the cost estimate and delivery process for the project. We have been fundraising and working on government grants to get this project off the ground!”Simone Boulton from the Jamberoo Football Club told The Bugle that Jamberoo FC first introduced a Women’s team in 2018 and it has continued growing even since. She says, “We currently have an all ages women’s team and two over 30’s women’s teams. They’ve made the women feel welcome and have always treated us exactly the same as the men’s teams, such as new women’s cut shirts! I think that many women have come to play for Jamberoo FC because we are a family and turn up for each other, there’s no separation between the men’s teams and women’s teams - we’re all under one umbrella.”She mentioned that this season has also been tough for the Jamberoo Ravens team as they’ve also struggled to field a team at times too. “There have been season ending injuries, and life in general makes it challenging!” Simone adds.Who will win the Grand Final on 27 August?Taryn also reveals, “Our team has struggled for numbers this season, due to travel and injury etc. In the most recent game versus Jamberoo, they won 5-0 as we only had eight players. In April, we played them we won 5-0. So, it’s anyone’s game next Sunday!”Simone chimes in, “The first time we played Gerringong we were down on players too. I don’t doubt for a second that this Sunday will be a great game between our clubs!”The Grand Final match between the Gerringong Breakers and the Jamberoo Ravens takes place at 11 am on 27 August 2023 at Sir Ian McLennan Oval at Kembla Grange. It would be great to see local support for both our local teams! And after?The winning team of the Grand Final game will be Premiers of Women’s Over 30’s Div 2. They will have the rest of the year off and start registrations again for the 2024 season in February 2024.Photo of Jamberoo Ravens team – supplied by Simone Boulton.
