Womens & Girls

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GIRLS FOOTBALL
 

HARLOW GIRLS FOOTBALL GOES

FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH !
 

 
Girls Football in Harlow continued its winning form in early February as Mark Hall School hosted the latest popular Girls-Only Fun Festival, with the female game continuing to develop at lightening speed across the County.

The festivals, staged by the Harlow Youth Action Group, who have been providing weekly sessions for girls since September 2005, are open to girls aged 7-13 and are led by an all-female team of qualified coaches. Up to twenty-five girls have been in attendance each week, with the fun festivals coming together every five weeks including teams invited from outside the programme.

Further success was enjoyed at the latest event which saw Tigers Girls Under 10s, Writtle Minors Under 10s and Dunmow Rhodes Under 12s come along to play the three Harlow Youth Action Group Football For All (H.Y.A.G.F.F.A.) teams: Harlow Storm Under 10s, Harlow Bluebirds Under 12s and Harlow Wildcats Under 12s. As always, the festival was a huge hit and all sixty children went home with a Certificate of Attendance.

The February date was an added incentive for the Harlow-based girls who were able to wear their brand new kit for the very first time thanks to a kind donation from one of the girls' parents, a real treat for the players who have only ever worn bibs in the past.

Meanwhile, staff on the programme have been working especially hard to try and assemble the participating girls into teams, ultimately aiming to enter them into a league. Local club Langley Colts have provided the girls with the opportunity to play for their club and have also enlisted a female volunteer to help once the new teams are created. So far, up to twenty girls have expressed an interest and the club hope to field two new sides for the 2008/09 season.

Essex County F.A. Programme Coach, Sharon Brownlie, commented: "This part of the festival was extra special for the girls involved in the programme as they got to feel like a proper team in their new strip. The donation of the kit, along with all of the hard work being carried out by Langley Colts and the Harlow Youth Action Group, is ensuring that girls' football in Harlow continues to grow and be successful."

Teams who would like to take part in the next Fun Festival being held on Saturday 22nd March between 10:00am-12noon can contact Sharon Brownlie on (01245) 393074 or E-Mail sharon.brownlie@essexfa.com. These are also the contact details to request further information on the weekly sessions offered.
 

GIRLS 'PLAY THEIR OWN GAME' IN 4 v 4 FESTIVAL
 

 
Excessive wind and driving rain were not enough to dampen the spirits of hundreds of girls at the South Ockendon 4 v 4 Festival this week, with seventeen Under 10s and 11s present to compete in a 'round robin' tournament in conjunction with the local authority's Family Fun Day.

Clubs managed to fit-in eight games each, regardless of the severe winds and ongoing showers, with the event being inspired by the 4 v 4 'Give us Back Our Game Campaign', designed to encourage coaches to simply let the girls play their own football. Adjacent to the Festival were local D.J.s, dance groups and a rugby club who were running taster sessions for neighbouring residents.

No standings or results were kept throughout the day as the girls were just encouraged to display their skills. Nine Young Leaders from throughout the County kept the day going, acting as pitch monitors for each game and remaining on-hand by the sidelines to reward fair play. Each team was encouraged to keep with the spirit of the day and were presented with 'Fair Play Cards' for each game. These were then handed to the event organizers to keep a record and, as part of The F.A.'s campaign to improve sideline behaviour, coaches and parents also earned their own cards for good behaviour, contributing to each team's overall score.

Hawkwell Athletic, a new girls' team recently involved within the Rochford School-to-Club Link 4 v 4 Programme were the winners at the end of the day, racking-up an impressive two hundred points for their sporting attitude. Coach, Amy Nettleship, is a Young Leader involved within the Step into Sport Programme and was part of the Female Level Two Coaching Course the E.C.F.A. recently ran. She was over the moon about the day, explaining: "The kids all enjoyed the entire occasion. There were roll-on, roll-off substitutions and everyone was able to get involved so the future of 4 v 4 Football looks like it could really take-off as it's growing in popularity all the time."

One Essex Club, Charter Standard status Little Oakley, travelled the lengthy distance from Harwich and brought five teams, having worked exceptionally hard over the last six months to develop their girls' section. The club helped promote the School-to-Club Link Programme and haven't looked back since, with Secretary Michael Carran commenting: "We started the team in May and have now gathered a talented pool of players. Using a network of our local schools we managed to put a side together and credit must go to James Martin, whose idea it was to form the squad. We are joining a league in Suffolk this season and wish to participate in other well-organised tournaments like the one in South Ockendon."

The E.C.F.A. were thrilled with the success of the event as well as the support from clubs throughout the County and will definitely be looking to run more events with this focus. Special mentions go to the following clubs for their assistance: Wilburn Wanderers, Tigers J.F.C., Chelmsford City Ladies F.C., Little Oakley F.C., Redbridge L.F.C., Romford Borough Girls F.C. and Hawkwell Athletic F.C.
 

GIRLS 4 v 4 PROVES VERY POPLUAR
 

 
Plumberow School in Hockley were the winners of a recent tournament at Greensward College exhibiting the merits of the new 4 v 4 version of football which is beginning to take the County by storm.

The successful competition marked the start of what Essex County F.A. Girls' & Women's Football Development Officer Emma Wake hopes will be a successful new venture: "Each side has four players, which means they all get more touches of the ball on a smaller pitch which aids their development. The concept is in its early stages so there is a certain amount of trial and error involved but if we can drum-up enough interest a long term aim could be to set-up a 4 v 4 league in the south east of Essex."

Over sixty young girls from school years three and four took part in a Primary School Football Festival surrounding the tournament, organised by the Essex F.A. and the Star Youth Football Project. Pat Kielty, of the S.Y.F.P., commented: "The small-sided football games were very exciting and both the response from the schools and the children on the day was excellent."

Following on from the success of this tournament, regular girls football sessions have been organised for Saturday mornings. The sessions started on 2nd June and run from 10:30am to 12:00noon at Greensward College. Girls in school years from three to six are welcome to attend. The aim is that girls taking part will have the opportunity to join one of the four local girls football teams who are also involved, Assandun Vikings, Rayleigh Raiders, Hawkwell Athletic and Hambro Colts.

A group of young female volunteers involved in the Football Association's 'Step Into Sport' Young Leadership Programme co-ordinate the sessions and further information can be obtained via Emma Wake on (01245) 393076 or Pat Kielty on (07740) 046542
 
 

HARLOW THREE LIONS FESTIVAL
 
The Harlow Girls Football Programme celebrated the Three Lions School Club Link project recently with a special festival at Mark Hall School.
 

 
The Three Lions School Club initiative was setup by The FA to provide organised exit routes for children playing football in and out of school hours and the Festival saw Debden United Girls and Valley Green Girls all enjoy a morning of top football fun.

ECFA Football Development Officer and Harlow Programme coordinator, Sharon Brownlie, said: "The festival was non-competitive as we wanted the girls to focus on enjoyment and playing as part of a team rather than concentrating on the final score."

All the girls taking part in the festival received a Three Lions FC T-shirt as a souvenir of the day and if your club would like to take part in future events then contact Sharon Brownlie on 01245 393074
 

JOIN THE FILLIES  !
 
If you live near Stanford-le-Hope and looking to join a girl's football team then make sure you put your name down with Copeland Colts Fillies U12s.
 

Players from the Copeland Colts Fillies
 
The team are in their first season of league football and manager, David Sullivan, is hoping that more School Year Six and Seven girls will want to take part and bolster the squad: "We're doing quite well in the league but looking to recruit more girls who enjoy playing the game and anyone, regardless of age, is welcome to come along."

Copeland Colts Fillies train every Saturday at Stanford Primary School at 10am for an hour with 7-a-side matches taking place on Sundays in the Thundermite U12 Girls Premier League.

If you're interested then contact David Sullivan on 07939 991222 or 01375 857848 or email on david.sullivan@rwenpower.com

You can also contact Club Secretary, Jocelyn, on 01375 670885
 
 

GIRLS SUMMER FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT
 
Leigh Rockets are holding a six-a-side girls tournament at Fairways School over the weekend of June 3/4 and are accepting entries for teams until the May 10.
 

 
Demand has been high, so there are only a few places available for the Under 13 and Under 11 age groups, which will take place on Sunday June 4. The Under 14 and Under 12 age groups are already full, and these matches will be played on Saturday June 3.

The entry fee is £30 per team (£50 for two), and competing teams should be in the correct age group as of the 2005/06 season.

There will be a barbeque, refreshments, a bouncy castle and other stalls at the event and parking is free.
 
For further information please email     ian.ramsay@hhlaw.co.uk
 

WORLD CUP FOOTBALL FEVER  !
 
World Cup fever hit the Brentwood Centre on May 3 when girls from primary schools in Brentwood and Basildon took part in an Essex County FA football festival.  
Fifteen schools representing countries involved in this years’ World Cup were in the tournament, playing four 10-minute matches in the group stages before moving on to the semi-finals.
 

It was St. Anne Line’s first World Cup football festival
 
Girls’ football is on the up in primary schools across the County, with pupils urging their teachers to let them play. Theresa Woodford of Brentwood Prep explained: “We’ve just started a team, after one of the students suggested it. There are 18 girls who play at the moment, but we’ve had to restrict it to Years 5 and 6 because there’s not room for everyone.”

 G’day Mate! Brentwood Prep were representing Australia

 
St Joseph ’s School took home the Fair Play Award, in the first outing for the girls’ team. Teacher Cathy Webb said: “We only got our team together last week, but the girls have had an absolutely fantastic day. It’s good to know 
the support is there from the Essex F.A, and from this, it’s going to be easier for us to arrange friendly matches with other schools.”
 
With many of the schools taking part in an event like this for the first time, the emphasis was on having fun. Sports co-ordinator of St Anne Line School, Joyce Taylor, said: “I’ve been to something like this before, but it’s the first time for the girls and they’ve really enjoyed themselves.”
 
The day was capped off by a 2-0 victory for Ingatestone & Fryerning against Ingrave Johnstone in the final.
  

Fun in the sun at the Brentwood Centre
The schools who took part were:

Fair Play winners, St. Joseph ’s (green and purple) in action.
 
Long Ridings
St Thomas
St Anne Line RC
Felmore
Ingatestone & Fryerning
Hutton All Saints
Quilters
Brentwood Prep
Hogarth
Wickford
Ingrave Johnstone
Brightside
Lincewood
Woodlands
St Joseph ’s
 

FOOTBALL PROGRESS IN HARLOW

 
Harlow is certainly proving popular for girls football in Essex with yet another Mini Soccer Festival taking place at the town's Mark Hall School last week.
 

 
The Festival is part of a weekly football programme that's been taking place for girls aged 7-12 years old and last week's event saw over 100 girls, including invited guests from Chelmsford City Ladies, Billericay Ladies and Pashanger FC, enjoy a morning of fun football action.
 
Essex FA coach, Sharon Brownlie, commented: "We are now up to our fourth festival in what has been a huge transformation by the girls who attend the weekly sessions. 
"Most of the girls who began the programme back in September 2005 were all beginners but they have gone from complete novices to capable footballers. This has been great for myself and the other coaches to see as all of our hard work is now being played out on the pitch," said Sharon.
 
 

MELBOURNE ARE MASSIVE ON FOOTBALL
 
IT'S BEEN A BIG TWELVE MONTHS for Melbourne Park Primary with the Chelmsford based school recently taking part in their first Three Lions football taster sessions for girls.
 

The Girls of Melbourne Park enjoying their Football
 
The school took part in last year's girls only football festival at Saltcoats Park in South Woodham Ferrers and only just managed to raise a team but it's a different story now as PE teacher, Neil Taggart, explained:   "The girls had been playing football with the boys at our school but some weren't getting the ball and were shivering on the touchline so, with help from the Essex County FA and Chelmsford Borough Council, we set up the Three Lions club for them," said Neil.
"It's working really well as the girls don't mind making mistakes because the boys aren't there to laugh at them! Some of the girls weren't keen at first but once they were out there and taking part in the coaching they really enjoyed it," commented Neil of the sessions that feature School Years Two, Three, Four and Five.

Melbourne Park are also forming links with Charter Standard club, Chelmsford City Ladies, who are running a series of football development sessions for girls via the FA's Three Lions Program in the area on Tuesday evenings.

ECFA Women's & Girls Development Officer, Emma Wake, added: "The sessions in Melbourne have seen 80 girls in attendance and it's important to establish a school club link with someone like Chelmsford City LFC.
"Some of the girls might not be aware of the club opportunities available to them but the Chelmsford community sessions mean that they can play regular after school football on their doorstep." said Emma.
 

GIRLS CHARTER STANDARD FESTIVAL
The Essex County FA held their very first Girls Football Festival for Charter Standard Clubs at Gloucester Park in Basildon on March 11.
 

 
The event featured seven clubs from nearby areas with Leigh Ramblers, Chelmsford City Ladies, Maldon Town Youth, Brentwood Town Ladies, Beech United, Hambro Colts and Colchester Town Girls all taking part in the nine skill and drill stations.
 
ECFA Women's and Girls Development Officer, Emma Wake, commented: "We had over 140 girls in attendance and the festival stations concentrated on all aspects of football and tested their passing, shooting and dribbling skills.
"Everything was designed to create a fun atmosphere and we've had some great feedback from the clubs taking part," said Emma of the festival which was aimed at girls aged 10-12 years old.

Brentwood Town Ladies coach, Olivia Worsfold, was impressed with the inaugural event which was run by a team of nine coaches and included eight females: "All the Brentwood Town girls enjoyed every minute of the festival and are already asking when the next one is!"
 

The Pass through the Gate drill at the Girls Charter Standard Festival.
 

GROOVY GIRLS IN BRENTWOOD

Schoolgirls in Brentwood have been getting their first taste of football thanks to the Essex County FA's Three Lions Program.
 

 
The curriculum time sessions have given 300 Year Three, Four, Five and Six girls from Long Ridings, St. Joseph's the Worker, Hutton All Saints and St. Martins a chance to develop their skills and the opportunity to take their new found love of football further by joining Hutton FC's new eight week coaching program.
 
ECFA Women and Girls Development Officer, Emma Wake, commented: "The Brentwood project has been really successful and the very first coaching session saw over 40 girls sign up for two hours of skills and drills."

The eight week coaching programme, which is subsidised by Active Sport Football Development, kicked off on February 11 at St. Martins: "The school's facilities are first class and it's great to work with the coaches at Hutton FC. The club have Charter Standard Community status and are currently expanding on their girls' football section as well," said Emma.

Hutton FC's Chris Singh explained more: "We've got 27 boys and adult teams at Hutton and now we're really trying to push the girls' football side of our club.
"We've already got an U12s side but it's more difficult getting the older girls interested as they tend to have a lot more interests on weekends," said Chris.

The girls football sessions are being coached by ex-England international Tracy Doe and Chris revealed Hutton's long term plans for the future: "At the end of the eight week program we hope to have sides for the U8 and U9 age groups and we're looking to use Long Ridings Primary School as a base where the girls can train and enjoy their football in a safe and friendly environment." 
 

HARLOW FESTIVAL HAT TRICK

There was more mini soccer action in Harlow last weekend with the third Girls Only Football Festival at Mark Hall School on February 4.
  

Harlow football session coach, Kayleigh Morgan, with a team of girls

 
The Festival featured girls who have been taking part in the regular coaching sessions at the school on Saturday mornings plus players from girl teams from around the county. 
 

Fun on the Mark Hall School astro turf!
Sessions are run by a partnership which includes the Harlow Youth Action Group, Mark Hall School, Essex Active Sports and the Essex County FA and feature an all female coaching team.  
 
Head Coach Sharon Brownlie commented: "This has been the biggest  tournament so far and we expect more teams to be involved for the next one. The festival is a great way to practise all the skills that the girls have learnt in their weekly coaching sessions. 
"As the festivals are for fun there are no  winners and losers which allows the girls to enjoy playing football in a non- pressurised environment."
 
 
If your child is interested in the weekly sessions or your club would like to attend the next tournament on Saturday 25th March then contact Emma Wake on
01245 393076
or email 
emma.wake@essexfa.com
 

BILLERICAY BUZZ  !
 
Female football is creating a buzz around Billericay with The FA's Three Lions School Club Link programme providing players for Billericay Town Colts' brand new girls' team section.
 

The Three Lions Club in Billericay

 
Over 230 girls from four primary schools in the Billericay area took part in the eight week Three Lions taster sessions with the Essex County FA's Emma Wake and West Ham United and those that are interested in taking their new found love of football further can attend training sessions with the Colts.
 

Nick Morgan explains same skills and drills to the girls
The Charter Standard Community Club's School Liaison Officer, Nick Morgan, explained more about their female football initiative for school years five and six: "I met with several local schools in the area to identify things that would help the local community and it soon became apparent that girls' football was something that would prove to be very popular.
"We had always wanted to start a girls section at Billericay Town Colts as the nearest clubs have always been in Chelmsford and other areas so I just took that idea by the scruff of its neck and got things rolling with a flyer and poster campaign in the Brightside, St. Peters, Quilters and Sunnymede primary schools."
 
Three Lions offers girls a weekly subsidised training session and the eight week Billericay programme was funded by the Essex Active Sport Women's and Girls Football Development Plan. 

New football fans !
 
The club have already laid down foundations for an U13s side with players from Mayflower and Billericay School and the team, which will be managed by Billericay Ladies' Kim Coster, will make their debut at a football festival in Harlow on Feb 4. 
 
Emma Wake commented: "The organisation and commitment to ensure that a quality girls section was developed at Billericay was really
refreshing.  At the end of an eight week programme you usually see a drop off of girls but last Monday, in freezing cold temperatures, there were 25  girls displaying some real talent.  "
"It's great that girls from Billericay, new to the sport, can now access local football and not have to travel to neighbouring towns. Long may it continue!"
 

The Coaches: (l-r) Kim Coster, Nick Morgan, Lisa Robins and Shelly Cook
 

ESSEX ACTIVE SPORT

GIRLS FOOTBALL REPORT
 
ECFA Girls and Women's Football Development Officer, Emma Wake, looks back on a busy six months of female football in Essex...
 
 
Stage One of the Active Sports Girls Football Development programme kicked off once again in September 2005 with Three Lions FC Coaching Courses delivered in Southend, Rochford, Harlow, Billericay and Colchester. 
  
The courses are aimed at girls who are new to the sport and would like to play at a local club. 

Southend were first on the score sheet with taster sessions being delivered by Southend United's Football in the Community Coaches and new company Active Soccer and Sports Academy. 

Girls only curriculum time sessions took place in, Temple Sutton, Bournes Green, Thorpe Greenways, Westborough, St George's, St Mary's, Friars, Our Lady of Lourdes and Leigh North Street Primary Schools for four weeks. 

The players were then given the opportunity to join the eight week 'Three Lions FC Course' that took place at Temple Sutton School on Saturday mornings.  The sessions, delivered by Neville Hickton and Neil Lake from Active Soccer, concentrated on teaching fundamental skills through fun enjoyable games. 

Mel Kinsella, a local female coach who attends the Colchester United Academy was on hand as Assistant coach and Leigh Rockets were the club link. 

The girls had the opportunity to play 2 matches against some of the regular members of Leigh Rockets and were lucky to be able to wear their very own Southend United kit. 

The course was a real success with the ever present local club and the girls were comfortable making the transition to weekly football and now continue to play on Saturday mornings with The Rockets.

Head Coach Neil Lake thought the course was a total success: "Many of these girls had never touched a ball before and were a little hesitant in week one.  They have come so far, worked really hard and been a real pleasure to coach. 
"It was great to have a female coach helping out, the girls really gelled with Mel and it was ideal to have a Charter Standard club presence visible every week so the girls felt comfortable taking the step to club football. 
"The group worked really well as a team and looked out for each other. They started the course as 20 individuals and finished as 20 friends!"