Women and girls Football
What's it all about?
Women’s Football is the biggest female sport in England with more players competing in affiliated competition than any other team sport
In 1993 there were 10,400 players and today there are over 147,000. Football continues to grow at a fantastic rate since becoming the top female sport in 2002.The Active People survey in 2006 highlighted that 250,000 women and 1.1 million girls play some form of Football. There are 26 million females playing across the world, of which 4.1m are playing affiliated Football – this is a 54% growth since the year 2000 (FIFA Big Count 2006).
GILLINGHAM GIRLS OPEN EVENING ON 5 DECEMBER 2011
Gillingham Football Club are offering girls at U7, U8 and U9s the chance to be part of the Development Squad at their Girls Centre of Excellence. The open evening takes place at Holcombe Park Hockey Club in Rochester on Monday 5 December 2011, and will consist of some technical practices, which will lead into small-sided games enabling the coaches to see the girls in a game situation. After the evening the club will decide which players they would like to see continue with the Development Squad and notify them by post shortly afterwards.
The main aim of the Development Squad is to offer players advanced, structured coaching sessions, set in a professional environment, with an introduction to skills, techniques and tactics used within the Centre of Excellence. They will also be given the opportunity to represent a professional football club whilst developing technically and tactically as young players with the view to progressing into the Centre of Excellence.
It should also be noted that while with the Development Squad girls are still able to play for their local weekend team.
If you are interested in applying, the application form can be downloaded or for further details please email fitc@priestfield.com
Taking part
Nearly all of the women and girls football takes place at local clubs or schools.
Many clubs have Football in the Community schemes and local authorities run holiday schemes.
For local authority sports information contact your local authority sports development officer.
Girls can play mixed football up to 11 years of age. They can then join local clubs. These clubs play in the Kent Girls and Ladies league. For information on the league contact secretary Sarah Handley.
Gillingham FC manage a Centre of Excellence for girls, which forms part of the player pathway in to elite competition.
Get Involved
To find your local club please visit this link to the Kent Football Association Website
Structure of the sport
Each County has its own County Association, Kent is Kent Football Association. They coordinate all affiliated football in Kent and deal with affiliations and fines imposed on players and clubs for misconduct. They also focus on the development of football within the County, facility development and coaching courses.
Kent FA also have a Kent Schools Association which oversees all the schools competition.
Main Contact
Liz Symons - Women and Girls Development Officer - Liz.symons@kentfa.com - 07903 127 256
