The last few years has seen girl’s football consolidate its position as one of the most popular sports in the county. Club football provides opportunities for girls from Under 10’s to Under 16’s to participate in local leagues and County Cup competitions.
Cumbria Women’s League provides women’s teams to participate in open age competition and is part of the national system which enables teams to be promoted to a higher league. There are also a number of local teams who will be playing friendly football.
School Leagues are continuing with new age groups being included for the coming year. Taster sessions and School-Club link programmes will be continued to enable a smooth transition in the player pathway for girls moving from schools to Charter Standard Clubs.
Westmorland County FA was granted with a licence to run a Player Development Centre; girls from across the County took part in a coaching and games programme, giving talented and gifted players the opportunity to progress.
The FA Player Development Centre is part of The FA’s player pathway and bridges the gap between grassroots football and The FA Centre of Excellence programme.
Girls taking part in the programme will continue to play for their grassroots club and take part in additional training with the Player Development Centre (PDC) alongside their grassroots club training and match programme.
The PDC will play fixtures against FA PDC’s from Cheshire, Cumberland, Durham and Northumberland.
The age groups for the Player Development Centre for the forthcoming season are Under 11’s, Under 13’s and Under 15’s.
Girls who are not currently playing football outside school should not be disregarded; if girls do not currently play for a club, Westmorland County FA can signpost them into a local FA Charter Standard Club.
Sports Coach UK and the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF) have produced a series of factsheets, aimed at coaches who coach women and girls or who are interested in coaching them in the future. Each factsheet provides insight into the female athlete and her needs, and guidance as to how better to coach and support her. Please click on the links below to view the documents.
For further information, please contact Dan Ferguson, Football Development Officer, on 01539 730946, or email Daniel.Ferguson@WestmorlandFA.com
To find a Women's Team/Club click here
