By: Janakan SEEMAMPILLAI

MULTI-TASKING is what women do best and no one does it better than local football community identity Kylie Chapman. As if juggling a full-time business as a hairdresser whilst raising a family of four kids isn't busy enough, Kylie also manages to find time to spend countless hours volunteering for local powerhouse Geelong Rangers Soccer Club, as president no less.

PHOTO: Kylie Chapman with her daugher Millie and Millies’ friend Haeun Brandwyk at the Melbourne Victory game last Friday night, when Rangers were the Hyundai A League club of the week.

"Volunteers aren't paid not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless" is a sign that adorns the club house at Myers Reserve. No one epitomises that more than Kylie...

Having been involved with Rangers for the past eight years, three of which were on the committee, Kylie was elected as the first female president of the proud Bell Post Hill based club in 2016. Kylie estimates she spends around 10-25 hours per week at the club, this after running her own business during the week and running around looking after children Hamish (aged 18), Angus (13), Millie (11) and Alfie (7).

From office duties such as answering emails and phone calls, to attending meetings, preparing uniforms, working in the kitchen and cleaning, Kylie does it all. She is quick to point out the dedication of the other volunteers at Rangers.

“The volunteers at Rangers are amazing and inspire me to push our club to succeed. It is important for people to know the only way clubs will succeed is with the help of volunteers”, she said.

On top of her work at Rangers, Kylie also devotes time to volunteering at other clubs in the region.

Kylies first taste of the world game came in 2001 when she met her husband Mike. After her young boys got involved there was no turning back. She even tried her hand at indoor soccer a few years ago, scoring an own goal to pop the cherry.

“I was not great! I scored an own goal as my first goal and thought I should celebrate, as it might have been my one and only, ever! I did end up scoring a few. Thankfully!”

Kylie credits her husband Mike and her children, all of whom have played at Rangers, as her biggest inspiration due to their dedication to the game. Mike is a partner at GOFC, who are looking after the next generation of local talent who will represent Geelong at the regional country championships in Morwell in June. Her second eldest Angus is a promising young footballer and plays at NPL level for North Geelong Warriors under 14’s.

Kylie is part of a growing number of women with stronger voices in the Geelong football community.

Highly successful business-woman and chairperson of Barwon Water, Jo Plummer, was recently elected chairperson of the Geelong Region Football Committee (GRFC). Flavia Kaucic is president of Geelong’s sole WNPL club, the highly successful Galaxy United. Rose Pirrottina presides over Bell Park, one of the oldest clubs in Geelong.

There are also significantly more women on committees of local soccer clubs than in years gone by, all of whom add a balanced voice to the often-passionate discussions that take place.

Just as importantly, more women are getting involved in coaching particularly at the grass roots level. Rangers have been active in providing women’s only coaching courses for mum/sisters/girlfriends and this has reaped dividends.

Kylie emphasises the effort that Rangers have made under her tenure to get more women involved in the game.

“When I joined the committee, I wanted to ask women if they had anything they could contribute in any area...rather than being placed in the kitchen!”

Kylie agrees there is a strong correlation with the number of mums getting involved in local soccer at the administrative and coaching level with the growth of the game in Geelong especially amongst young girls.

The mini roos participation rate in the region has gone through the roof in the past two seasons with a 30% growth rate between 2014 and 2016, with the number of girls participating increasing by 20%. A bumper year is expected in 2017 with even more kids set to participate.

There are also more girls only competitions at the mini roos level which is vital for the growth of female football. Kylie sees this as the key to the future of Geelong soccer.

“The introduction of MiniRoos is the best thing that has happened locally. The gala mornings are a tremendous success and the kids are having a ball. Every kid is given the opportunity to be involved,” she explained.

Kylie’s election as president in a traditionally male dominated role is a testament to her strength, dedication and hard work.

“I think it was a hard gig to break into a male dominated sport. I think there were people, not just at Rangers, that weren't that happy that I was a female president. It's not until you start getting things done that you earn the respect”.

During her tenure, Rangers have grown significantly on and off the field. The senior men’s team was promoted to State League 2 last season after winning the third division title.

The club successfully held the Geelong Community Cup in January this year, even incorporating the first ever women’s exhibition match between a Geelong Women’s Select team and WNPL club Galaxy United,prior to the cup final. The junior numbers at Rangers have grown by over 25% since 2015, a higher rate than Victoria in general.

Kylie’s next project is to get a senior women’s team off the ground, and the signs are promising.

“After our all girls Mini Roos program, we have increased our girls from 10-25... working from grassroots, now to keep them interested in the game”.

The direction Rangers are heading co-incides with the huge strides being made by the game in the Geelong region, and its no co-incidence it is due to more women being involved.

What would President Chapman like to see going forward?

“I would like to see an improvement in the local competition. We have worked hard to develop our junior squads, to a very competitive level. Local competition for kids in division 1, is very limited. It is very hard at the moment, to challenge our players,” she concluded.

With people like Kylie Chapman involved, the future of the world game in Geelong is definitely in good hands.

Name: Kylie Chapman

Club: Geelong Rangers

Favourite A league club: Melbourne Victory of course

Favourite Premier League club: Tottenham

Favourite soccer player: Harry Kane and Gareth Bale

Best memory of local soccer: Geelong Rangers winning the State League 3 title in 2016