The event, which is in association with Continental Tyres, is organised with the support of the Essex County FA and London Playing Fields Foundation and will be held at the Peter May Sports Centre. It’s open to young girls from primary and secondary schools in years three to eight. Participants will have the chance to play with some of the stars of women’s football as top players will be there to meet, chat and have a kickabout with the girls.
A range of innovative equipment including an inflatable pitch, speed cage, target shoot, quick feet and batak boards will feature plus Charlotte Lade, one of the world’s leading professional football freestylers, will be demonstrating her amazing football tricks and skills.
The festival is led by FA-approved coaches and includes sessions from the FA Skills Team, as well as Football Mash-Ups aimed at 14-17s who have either dropped out of football or are on the verge of doing so. This festival also includes skills and drills, games, mini-matches and the ContiWarmUp Programme – the newest endorsed coaching programme by The FA.
To add to the festival atmosphere, there will be giveaways, as well as hair braiding and face painting. FA WSL mascot Berry the Bear will also be in attendance along with Chirpy the Mascot from Tottenham Hotspur.
Kelly Simmons, FA Director of the National Game and Women’s Football, said: “We are incredibly proud of the achievements of the FA Girls Football Festivals over the last four years. They have clearly shown the enthusiasm there is across the country from young girls when they are offered the opportunity to participate in sport in general, and football in particular.”
Guy Frobisher, Marketing Director at Continental, added: “The festivals have grown year on year and have given tens of thousands of girls the chance to get involved. This will be a fantastic showcase of women and girls football which we’re proud to continue to support.”
