Shrewsbury Town

The Female Football Development Programme kicks off this week across Shropshire with high quality football sessions being delivered in secondary schools and colleges.

  

Shrewsbury Town Community Trust received the funding to develop new grassroots women’s and girls football sessions for 14-25 year olds across the county through the new FA Women and Girls programme. 

The FA and Sport England have joined forces with the Premier League and the Football League for the first time to fund this programme. 

Currently enrolled on the 10 week programme are the Charlton School, Hadley Learning Community and Idsall School.

Sessions are also being delivered at Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology where FFD assistant coach Amy Edwards is currently studying her higher national diploma in sports studies.

Amy is a qualified Level 2 football coach and has joined the programme as a volunteer assistant coach to gain more coaching experience within a community setting.

Amy said: "I am really happy to be involved. It will be great to get more girls active and playing football whilst having fun."

The lead coach for the programme is Shrewsbury Juniors coach Stacey Dower who has many years of experience and knowledge in the sport.

Stacey is excited to take on a new challenge and is thrilled to be stepping closer to her chosen career as a full time coach.

Stacey added: "It is great to expose girls to football, especially to the level we are delivering. Hopefully it will get more players involved and, in turn, more teams in Shropshire."

  

The programme will continue until July14 with the hope of it being refunded for September. 

Jessica Lightwood, community development officer for Shrewsbury Town, said: "The opportunity this brings to women and girls in football is great for the county and retention of girls within the sport as well as bringing more girls into community settings.

"Alongside this it will keep women and girls more active through the crucial drop-off period between girls aged 14-25."