The season is almost upon us at Liskeard Girls FC. It’s been a busy summer off the field for the club and one that has seen us move leagues.
Last season half our teams played in one league and the other half in another but now a different provider altogether is offering girls football at all age groups, so we can have them all in one league, which will hopefully be easier from an administration point of view.
In Cornwall it seems to be a mixed bag, U-10s/U-11s and U-14 leagues have expanded but the U-12s and U-16s has shrunk. The one age group we struggle with in Cornwall is U-18, last season the league collapsed due to lack of numbers, this season we are trying to keep it alive, however it won’t be 11-a-side, it will be small sided football. Is U-18 a hard age group to run up and down the country? Or is Cornwall different to everywhere else? I think for girls that play for social reasons and for recreation at that age may prefer small sided football. I know myself I still enjoy playing 5 or 7 a-side on a weekly basis with friends.
The one thing I have noticed even more this season over previous seasons is price increases. Normally our astro fees go up year on year and the other odd bit, but this season everything has gone up insurance, kits. balls, and fees we pay. We pride ourselves on trying to have the cheapest fees in the county, trying to make football accessible to all but it seems all companies are trying to squeeze money out of youth football clubs and they are now being seen by businesses as a way of making money.
I am full of hope for this season on the pitch, doing the FA Youth Module coaching award during the off season has really inspired me and opened my eyes. I can’t wait to use everything I have learnt throughout the season. For all budding coaches out there, I would highly recommend getting on this course it is well worth your time.
Hope it is a good season for all girls’ teams and coaches out there and I hope we can all use the success of the Olympics to grow the girls’ game.
She Kicks – the online community for women’s football
