Albany clubs Caledonians and Rovers played in the inaugural Brenda McCann testimonial match to honour McCann’s outstanding impact on women’s soccer in the Great Southern on Friday night.

The teams faced off in a match that was part of the Great Southern Soccer Association women’s division one competition, with Rovers taking all three points in a 5-0 drubbing.

McCann played a significant role in the growth of women’s soccer in the region, and Caledonians recognised her efforts, which led to the inception of the first women’s side (Caledonians) in Albany.

While the early days proved challenging in terms of gaining traction and support for the women’s game, McCann said the female players’ enthusiasm encouraged her to press forward.

“I just wanted to do my little bit, to support a band of great young women who wanted to play foot-ball — each week was a challenge that the team rose to,” she said.

“It was they, the initial team, that created the possibility of a women’s game, not me — they deserve the credit.

“They gave me far more than I gave them.

“I simply encouraged what was there in each one of them.”

The club stalwart also acknowledged the work of founding member Doug Grant Sr to encourage her in her bid to grow the game.

“He kindly invited us to train when the men’s team trained, letting us use the lights, he gave us the loan of a bag of balls, cones and other pieces of equipment,” she said.

Rovers player Carys Nichols was judged the player of the match.

The O’Neill-Loveridge testimonial match will be played this Saturday between division one teams Caledonians and Rovers.