The success of the Women's World Cup and the Matildas' thrilling progress has sparked national conversations around the significance of early-stage support for women in sport from local businesses. 

The Manly Pacific hotel's new initiative hopes to inject funds into the local female sports community by donating complimentary stays and other incentives to six participating local teams. Their goal extends beyond mere support, but to champion, uplift and inspire local women in sport. 

Just one of the local success stories is Matildas' player Remy Siemsen who started her football career at just age four with Belrose Terrey Hills before joining Manly United Football Club at the age of nine. She is now a professional football player for Leicester City in the English Women's Super League. 

Remy recalls the challenges she and her teammates faced due to a lack of awareness about female participation, with “unequal access to changing rooms, toilets, equipment, and programs that were readily available to the boys”. 

“Without community and local business support, the divide between resources for boys and girls widens and that inclusiveness can be achieved through a more level playing field. When local children and adults recognise businesses that are for sport and supporting our passions it reinforces the importance of sports in our community.” 

“Places like Manly Pacific, through their generosity, provide resources to promote and encourage participation in sports.... and this in turn enables more local kids to access sports and pathways to grow and develop in their passions,” says Remy Siemsen. 

With females currently representing just 26 per cent of sporting players in Australia, Manly Pacific's various donations mark the start of a concerted effort to build a community that stands firm behind its female athletes. 

Manly Pacific will also extend additional complimentary food and beverage allowances for teams to revel in the multiple cuisines on offer. Taste buds can be tempted at the Japanese fusion, Tokyo Joe or the refreshed French coastal menu by Executive Chef Ryan Dawson at the award-winning Bistro Manly. 

The local teams involved include Manly United Football Club, Manly Mermaids Rugby Team, Manly Warringah Cricket Team, Manly Warringah Sapphires, Northern Beaches Volleyball Association, and Warringah Rugby Club (Rats). This donation can be used by each team as they deem appropriate - whether through fundraising competitions or facilitating corporate stays. 

It is clear that while there is a growing demand for female sports, there needs to be more much-needed infrastructure to meet it. An issue that has been raised at a Government level more recently. The shared experiences of females having to use the 'boy's toilets' or being knocked back from local teams who can't keep up with this demand, should be a thing of the past. Now is the time to shape the future of women's sport. 

General Manager of the Manly Pacific, Dylan Cole says, “Our hotel's focus revolves around our community, and this is just the start of helping cultivate an ecosystem of support for female athletes and we encourage other local businesses to do the same.” 

Partnerships like this are critical for growth in local women's teams. Manly Pacific's main strategy is to start a ripple effect throughout the Northern Beaches community to drive powerful change for girls and women from grassroots to elite sports. 

-ENDS-