A Melbourne soccer club is taking a stand amid claims that 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?"