On Saturday 19th July, a Girls’ World Cup themed Festival took place at Southfields Community College in Wandsworth; this was run in partnership between the AFA, London FA, Middlesex FA and Surrey FA.
intention to support and develop girls’ football in the U-9 and U-10 age groups and for the girls’ to experience a fun day of football. Running alongside the festival in the morning was also an FA Tesco Skills session for 5 – 8 year old girls, where girls could just drop in and take part in a session delivered by one of the FA Skills Coaches.
There were over 50 girls taking part in the morning part of the festival, which was for the U-9 age group in a 4v4 format, and there was some fantastic football on display. When the teams arrived they were given a flag from a World Cup country which they would adopt for the festival, they were also given some face paints so that they could decorate themselves with their respective countries flag and help get them into the World Cup spirit. The flags were kindly donated by The Hurlingham Pub & Kitchen in Fulham.
Jon Burr, Surrey FA said “In some of the hottest weather we have seen this year, it was great to see so many girls take part in both the U-9 and U-10 age groups. The players were from many different clubs and schools from around Surrey, London and Middlesex. The world cup theme really went down well with face paints and flags being given to all the teams taking part. Despite the heat the effort and commitment from both age groups was tremendous with many new players getting a taste of some competitive games for the first time’’
In the afternoon. for the U-10 age group, the matches were 5v5 with a GK on slightly bigger pitches. Teams were split into two group’s dependant on their experience and this made for more even matches. There were over 60 girls taking part in this age group and again with the weather getting even hotter the conditions were even tougher but the girls all did fantastically.
Emma Barnes, London FA said ‘’Today was a wonderful example of partnership working and local counties coming together to provide a fun festival for girls to play in. Using the World Cup as a theme created a fantastic atmosphere and the festival was played in a friendly yet competitive spirit which allowed the girls to showcase their skills’’
For more information getting involved in girl’s football please contact your local County Football Association:
Amateur FA – [email protected]
London FA – [email protected]
Middlesex CFA – [email protected]
Surrey CFA – [email protected]
SHE KICKS – the online community for women’s football
