A Northumberland community football club is keen to get more than 100 girls playing for its sides.
Hexham FC has more than 80 female players across its age ranges, starting from nine years old. As the women’s game has grown, and with Newcastle United and Sunderland women are set to meet later this month as both battle for promotion to the Women’s Super League, local interest is at an all time high.
Coach Andy Auld, who oversees girls’ football development at Hexham FC said that despite having 80 female footballers, recruitment remains a challenge. He said: “Typically, they will join a team very young and then they’re with that team for years ahead.
“That means it’s much harder to find players who have some footballing experience but are not attached to another team. A few years ago, we couldn’t have imagined that we’d have 80 female footballers at the club and, as we add more teams, we will need to focus more and more on recruitment at all ages.
“Going forward, we’ll need to hit triple figures to put out all the teams we’d like to. Since coaching girls at all ages from 5 to 15, I’ve been impressed by the commitment shown, the willingness to learn and the joy that girls get from playing football.”
Charlotte Gooding, a coach with Hexham FC’s under 11 girls’ team, echoes Andy’s excitement. She said: “I’ve watched the girls grow in confidence on and off the pitch. It’s clear playing has social, physical and mental rewards for them.
“I’m incredibly proud of the team and what they have achieved but also all the Hexham FC girls for turning up and giving it their best. Coaching is genuinely the highlight of my week.
“Football offers a safe space for these girls to keep fit, have fun and make friends. It’s a space to leave worry and stress over school, friends and social media behind.
“Whatever type of day they’ve had, we want the girls to just get out there and play, have some fun and leave with a smile on their faces.”
(Image: Hexham FC)
Both Andy and Charlotte hope to build a club culture which welcomes girls beyond setting up teams and providing coaching. They are particularly looking to recruit 14 – 17 years olds, but that is a challenge as more than two-thirds of girls drop out of sport by the age of 17, citing body image, puberty and fear of being judged.
Charlotte finished: “We need to work really hard as a club to support girls to continue to play. To that end, I’ve worked with the club to provide period facilities in the clubhouse and kit bags as well as providing female-specific kit and dark shorts as these were things we knew were important to them to feel comfortable on the pitch.
“We are committed to providing a supportive environment and hope more girls will come to join us.”
Girl footballers or their parents can find out more about playing with Hexham FC by emailing hexhamfcsecretary@gmail.com or by visiting the Hexham FC Facebook page.
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View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/hexham-fc-girls-football-players-31179904
