Women's and girl’s football is getting more popular by the day. This summer we saw the Lionesses capture the hearts of the nation with a brave run to the last four of the Women’s World Cup and months before England Women had won the “She Believes Cup”. That has led to record attendances in the Women’s Super League and unparalleled attention on the female game.
It’s helping to inspire a new generation of female players with girls of all ages getting involved in the sport at all levels. In addition to this, the number of female coaches in the game is increasing month on month to achieve their potential, act as equalisers and role models for young players.
Finding local football for your young ones can be a challenge but lucky Surbiton is full of opportunities. If you’ve got a budding Steph Houghton or Fran Kirby on your hands as a result, then here are the best ways to get them involved in girls’ football in Surbiton.
We Make Footballers Surbiton Academy
Newly opened, the We Make Footballers Surbiton Academy offers football coaching sessions for children aged between 4 and 12-years-old from their base at Southborough High School every Tuesday evening. These sessions are focused on developing the football fundamentals and ensuring each player develops whilst having fun playing football!
The Surbiton coaching team is led by an all-female coaching team to help young girls feel comfortable, confident and ready to become the best players they can be! Both coaches Eve and Elena still play in leagues and have connections with a number of local female grassroots teams in the Surrey, Middlesex and Kingston areas to help players continue their football pathways.
Each session is delivered by fully qualified FA coaches with the aim of providing football training in a fun, friendly and safe environment. Children of all abilities are welcome to join and the first session is free, allowing both you and your child to see what is on offer before committing. Players are also encouraged to bring friends and siblings to enjoy the sport!
SSE Wildcats
SSE Wildcats football centres are the FA’s way of trying to get more girls into the game in order to meet their target of doubling female participation in football by 2020. They offer girls aged five to 11 a chance to experience football for the first time and provide regular opportunities to play over weekends.
There are over 1,250 Wildcat centres across the United Kingdom with a number based in the Surbiton area. Among those are centres at Imber Court Sports Club in East Moseley, the Goals Soccer Centre in New Malden and the Sir Joseph Wood Memorial Playing Fields in New Malden.
Brentford Community Sports Trust
Professional clubs are now starting to offer increasing opportunities for girls to get involved in the game. Leading the way in west London are Brentford and their Community Sports Trust.
The Bees’ Trust has engaged with more than 1,000 girls through links with schools, hosting football festivals on the Griffin Park pitch and their own Wildcats Coaching Programme. That Wildcats Coaching has proven to be particularly popular, offering free football sessions on a Saturday morning in a fun and engaging environment.
The Trust receives full support from the main football club. On International Women’s Day, Brentford captain Romaine Sawyers and winger Chiedozie Ogbene even took a coaching session for girls in the local area.
