FA Girls’ Football Week has proved a resounding success with more than double the original target of players taking part.
Local MP Maria Miller gave her support by attending the launch event on New Palace Yard at the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday 27 April where FA head of women’s football Baroness Sue Campbell announced that around 40,000 girls aged between 5 and 16 will play football as part of this week’s event, with the initial target of 17,340 easily surpassed.
Maria said “There has long been a misconception that some girls “don’t do sport” or “don’t do football”. I am delighted that FA Girl’s Football Week has bust these prejudices with over 40,000 girls taking part.”
I fully support initiatives such as FA Girl’s Football Week which aims to raise participation levels among girls - particularly teenage girls, where the drop off is especially pronounced.”
“I would like to applaud all the work that is being done by our local schools and groups to provide opportunity and encourage more girls to get involved in sports.”
This year there will be a second event in the autumn, following the success of last year’s FA Girls’ Football Week, to further drive female participation. The weeks are being delivered in partnership with Independent Schools FA, English Schools FA, Association of Colleges Sport, British Universities and Colleges Sport, the Premier League and the Football League.
In 2015 more than 16,000 people took part in the event, more than triple the original target. The second week, 10-16 October, will aim at raising participation at higher and further education establishments.
Football is the largest female team sport in England with more than 2.89m players. There are more than 5,900 women’s and girls’ teams playing affiliated club football.
For more information please visit www.thefa.com/womens