Boroondara Eagles allege gender discrimination after girls' match halted for boys' team

A Melbourne soccer club is taking a stand amid claims one of its junior girls' team's matches was stopped at half-time, with players forced to take to an inferior pitch to make way for a boys' team.

In a statement on social media, the Boroondara Eagles Football Club said an under-12 girls' match at Caloola Reserve, in Oakleigh, was halted so that an under-11 boys' team could use the field.

"After a lengthy delay [40 minutes], the girls were directed to an alternative field that was substantially different to the original playing surface, waterlogged and unsafe, resulting in the match being abandoned," the club posted on Facebook.

The club said it was deeply concerned about the impact the July 12 incident had on its players, families and coaching staff.

"One of our young female coaches left the venue in tears, and many players and parents were left questioning why a girls' points match was not afforded the same protection and importance as the u11 boys fixture?"

The club has declined to participate in a rescheduled fixture against Monash City Villarreal FC scheduled for tomorrow.

It has asked Football Victoria (FV) to investigate the incident and clarify whether the events constituted gender discrimination under its policies and frameworks.

In a statement this morning, FV said it acknowledged the concerns raised, and "the distress caused to the players, coaches and families involved".

"The matter is now being handled through FV's formal Member Protection process. To ensure it is considered fairly, FV can not comment further while that process is underway," the statement said.

"FV is also reviewing the expectations on clubs regarding match-day decisions, communication regarding abandonments, pitch use, fixture clashes and referee support to identify any improvements required.

"We remain committed to ensuring women and girls feel valued, respected and supported at every level of the game."

The football club said on social media that it had lodged the matter with Football Australia's core integrity team, and with the City of Monash, which runs Caloola Reserve.

The Boroondara Eagles said they remained committed to respectful participation in football and the continued growth of the women's and girl's game.

"Our position is that no player should ever feel that their match, their team or their opportunity to participate is less important because they are girls."