Dobson was responding to the Roy Morgan Research survey released this week, which revealed more Australian girls aged between six and 13 years were playing football than the traditionally female-dominated netball.

It was the first time this result had been recorded and Dobson was pleased for her beloved code, which has slowly gained popularity over the years. 

“That’s fantastic for women’s football,” Dobson, who hopes to return from an ankle injury at home against leaders Melbourne City on December 13, said.

“I think it has accumulated a bit over the last couple of years for a few ­reasons.

“There is a lot more and much ­better coverage in the media these days, which once upon a time never existed.

“In the last three or four years, the W-League Jets have been going around to schools and conducting coaching clinics to engage kids and show it’s not all about the boys.

“And the Matildas doing well at the World Cup this year certainly helped because of the attention it received and those players turning into role models for younger girls.”

Statistics gathered in over 12 months, from July last year to June this year, showed both football and netball had increased in popularity but a slightly higher proportion of girls aged between six and 13 years had opted for the world game.

Football came in at 39 per cent ­compared to netball at 37 per cent.

The national jump in figures was reflected closer to home with a 9.2 per cent increase for girls under the age of 13 across Northern NSW in 2015.

That group makes up 5625 of the 12,600 registered female players, of 21 per cent of total registered players, in Northern NSW.

Northern NSW community football manager Peter Haynes said the ­numbers were positive for the sport in both the Hunter and around the country, but more can still be done. 

“This is great news for the game and reflects the accessibility of our game to people of all ages and gender,” Haynes said.

“We will continue to deliver ­opportunities in all areas, especially for women and girls across Northern NSW, in our ongoing commitment to maintain this positive increase in their representation in our game.” 

Jets pair Jenna Kingsley and Adrianna Jones will visit Turner Park at Cessnock on Thursday at 6pm.

Girls aged from nine to 12 years are welcome to attend the Hunter Valley Football coaching clinic.

SPORTING ACTIVITY

Australian Girls 6-13

Swimming - 52 per cent

Football - 39 per cent

Netball - 37 per cent

Bicycling - 34 per cent

Cricket - 19 per cent

Tennis - 19 per cent

Australian Rules - 9 per cent