23
April
2018
|
11:00
Europe/London

Give football a go at The University of Manchester This Girls’ Football Week

Today marks the launch of FA Girls’ Football Week (Monday 23 – Sunday 29 April), with activities taking place across Manchester. The nationwide initiative will give girls aged 5 – 11 the opportunity to play football, inspired by some iconic Disney characters.

As part of the week, The University of Manchester is to host an event on Wednesday (25 April) for local primary schools at the Armitage Sports Centre where over 100 girls will take part in activities led by student volunteers from the UoM Women’s Football Club and Sports Volunteer Scheme. It will be followed by the launch of the Wildcats Girls’ Football Centre being delivered in partnership with Vipers JFC, starting on Saturday 28 April at 9:15 at the Armitage Sports Centre.

The week aims to inspire girls across all levels of ability to play football and get active, with an added sprinkle of Disney magic and storytelling. Sessions delivered by FA approved organisations will provide an introduction to the fundamentals of football, build key social skills and offer fun team-building exercises.

Girls of all ages are encouraged to sign up to Girls’ Football Week with a variety of sessions on offer.

 

 

 As a University Grassroots Football Hub we have made it one of our key agendas to grow women’s and girls’ football both in the institution and in the local community. We hope that all the participants will have a great experience and be inspired by our students to get involved in regular football!
Martin Cropper, Football Development Centre

The football resources created by The FA include Disney-inspired drills featuring strong, determined and mould-breaking characters, who take their destiny into their own hands and follow their dreams, including Rapunzel from Disney’s Tangled, Moana from Disney’s Moana, and Judy Hopps from Disney’s Zootropolis. The drills will feature in the packs being distributed to schools, clubs and homes, aiming to inspire girls to try football, meet new friends and stay active, as well as to empower girls and build their self-confidence.

As well as getting the chance to play, girls who sign-up to take part will be provided with an official FA and Disney participation certificate and a 20 per cent discount voucher to use in Disney stores.

Martin Cropper, from The University of Manchester's Sport Football Development Centre, said: “As a University Grassroots Football Hub we have made it one of our key agendas to grow women’s and girls’ football both in the institution and in the local community. Girls’ Football Week is another fantastic opportunity for us to achieve this through a collaborative approach with Manchester FA, schools and local community clubs and we are excited to deliver an exciting event with a clear pathway to further participation opportunities. We hope that all the participants will have a great experience and be inspired by our students to get involved in regular football!”

Kelly Simmons, FA Participation and Development Director, added: “Girls’ Football Week is focused on inspiring a new generation of girls to get active and fall in love with football. Football can offer these girls so much; from sheer enjoyment, to encouraging a healthy lifestyle and making friends. Girls’ Football Week is a central part of our plans – via The Gameplan for Growth - to double the number of females playing the game by 2020.”

To launch the week, Disney and The FA brought to life the stories of three aspiring players from Coalville Town Football Club in a short film, showing how they have taken inspiration on the pitch from the bold and adventurous Disney characters. You can watch the video here and for more information and to find a session near you visit www.FAGirlsFootballWeek.com

 

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