The Matildas and Rovers shared centre stage at a packed Macdonald Jones Stadium on Tuesday night as Australian women’s football came of age with a giant roar.

The Matildas defeated the mighty Brazil for the third time in a row and the Rovers realised their own dream running out onto the field and playing in an all-girls half-time fixture 

The Rovers under-8 and under-11 teams participated in the Matildas march past and the under-8s were selected be the Aldi MiniRoos Half Time Heroes and play the half-time games along with five teams from Newcastle/Macquarie clubs.

This year was the first time all girls Miniroos teams within Hunter Valley Football Association were able to play in girls competitions.

In addition to Lochinvar, Gresford Vacy had under-10s, Maitland Juniors under-11 and Cessnock PCYC and Tenambit had two teams each in under-6-7.

“We are hoping this takes off next year and I have talked to lots of parents around the place who are keen to push for girls numbers at their clubs,” Lochinvar Rovers FC secretary Lisa Duhig said 

The stars of the game are giving their support with Newcastle Jets W-League players Cassidy Davis and Jenna Kingsley running skills clinics at Lochinvar and Rutherford.

“Their participation helped gain interest along with the current success of the Matildas who are on fire,” Duhig said.

“We also run Summer 6s starting October for girls only and Matildas star Michelle Heyman is due to visit and run a skills session very soon.”