Margaret River product Tash Rigby appointed as Football West’s manager of female football and advocacy

Margaret River product Tash Rigby has been appointed as Football West’s manager of female football and advocacy. The role will see the current captain of the Perth Glory women’s side working across all levels of the game on behalf of the State’s governing body to ensure women and girls have positive experiences with soccer. Rigby said she was “thrilled to be appointed” to the position. “I am in a great position to advocate for what I believe many girls deserve, from a playing, refereeing, coaching and governance perspective, both in grassroots and the elite,” she said. “It is important to have females in decision making roles and positions of influence, but we also need to give them the tools to do that and celebrate their achievements.” Rigby was forced to spend part of her childhood playing against boys because there was no girls side in the town, but last year’s Women’s World Cup has led to an explosion in interest in soccer among girls and women, which she said had been heartening to see. “We just have to make sure that the experience we are providing for these girls is positive and helps keep them in the game,” she said. “I think it’s about looking at those leading clubs in regards to women and girls — what are they doing well? — and then empowering and educating other clubs about the importance of it. “I will listen to the people at those clubs at the community level because they’re the ones on the ground and they see the day-to-day.” Football West chief executive Jamie Harnwell said Rigby was perfectly suited to the job. “She has a wealth of experience and is hugely respected in the game,” he said. “She is also hugely passionate about taking women and girls’ football forward, and she will bring so much to the role.”