Womens & Girls

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WOMEN'S & GIRLS FOOTBALL
  
 

LONDON BOROUGHS WELCOME GIRLS DIVISION ARRIVAL
 
Young female footballers in Essex's London Boroughs are being encouraged to put their skills into practise in the brand new Under 10s Division of the Essex County Girls' League due to launch in September.
 
The Essex County F.A. are delighted to announce the creation of the new Division, which will be specifically aimed at forming teams based in the London Boroughs of Newham, Havering, Barking & Dagenham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest. So far six teams have signed-up and it is hoped this number will rise with the added incentive of an open affiliation system which will be operating up until December.

Sharon Brownlie, E.C.F.A. Girls' & Women's Development Officer for the London Boroughs, ommented: "The main reason for developing an Under 10s Division in the Boroughs was to give girls the opportunity to play football on a more localised level. Transport is a major issue for many families in these areas so it is hoped that by making the games closer to home more girls will be encouraged to play."

Teams will play friendlies up until the end of the year and will then have the opportunity to play competitive football until the conclusion of the season. It is hoped that by having a flexible approach to the Division's organisation more clubs will become interested in developing new girls' teams mid-season.

Essex is one of the nation's leading counties in the development of the female game, with Sharon amongst those working to increase participation in the Boroughs and Emma Burden assisting in actively promoting the game in the outer Essex region.

The Division has been developed under the banner of the Essex County Girls' League, with all clubs required to affiliate with the E.C.F.A. as well as the competition. Clubs or groups of players interested in entering a team should contact Sharon on (01245) 393074 or E-Mail sharon.brownlie@essexfa.com for further information.
 

 
The F.A. Women’s Cup sponsored by E.ON kicks-off in September and amongst the 306 clubs looking to topple current holders Arsenal are seventeen sides from Essex. In with a shout for the first time are new entries Hutton Ladies and Hawkwell Athletic, who ironically meet in the Preliminary Round.
 
For Hutton Secretary Kevin Lorkins it’s an exciting new adventure for a female side formed a mere twelve months ago as they embark on their first adventure into the Country’s leading Women’s competition: “We are a new club, having played our first season last year and we are now looking forward to taking part in the F.A. Cup. It should be an exciting experience!”
 
The quirk of the Preliminary Round draw has paired Hutton with fellow newcomers Hawkwell, but it’s an intriguing fixture for Hutton as they look to continue from where they left off last season. “We won promotion from Division Three of the Essex County Women’s League last season, so when we play Hawkwell we’ll still be looking to get our new season off to a flier,” explained Lorkins.  
 
Hutton are continuing the expanding trend of women’s football and he hopes success will reap rewards for both the women’s and men’s games, as he added: “It’s excellent that new clubs are continuing to appear on the scene and women’s football is growing well. Hopefully we can establish ourselves in the County Women’s League and then progress from there. It’s not just good for female football, as I believe a positive set-up can also rub-off well on the men’s side of things and there’s a number of male clubs who are branching out into women’s football. It’s excellent to see and I’m sure it’s a pattern that will continue.”  
 
Hutton and Hawkwell are joined in Preliminary Round action on 7th September by a further ten sides from the County, including Dagenham & Redbridge who won four consecutive County Cup titles between 2004 and 2007. Current Essex Women’s Cup holders, Premier League South outfit Colchester United, receive a bye until the Third Round Proper.  
 

Preliminary Round (Sunday 7th September 2008): Hitchin Hearts vs Runwell Hospital; Hemel Hempstead Town vs Billericay Ladies; Harlow Athletic vs Sawbridgeworth Town; Tempest vs Runwell & Rayleigh Raiders; Braintree Town vs Tring Athletic; Great Berry Ladies vs Royston Town; Saffron Walden Town vs Stevenage Borough Vixens; Hutton Ladies vs Hawkwell Athletic Ladies; Hoddesdon Owls vs Dagenham & Redbridge; West Bergholt vs Barking Ladies.

First Qualifying Round (Sunday 28th September 2008): Hoddesdon Owls or Dagenham & Redbridge vs Hemel Hempstead Town or Billericay Ladies; Braintree Town or Tring Athletic vs Brentwood Town; Sherrardswood Ladies vs Saffron Walden Town or Stevenage Borough Vixens; Harlow Athletic or Sawbridgeworth Town vs C & K Basildon; Garston vs Tempest or Runwell & Rayleigh Raiders; Hitchin Hearts or Runwell Hospital vs Hannakins Ladies; West Bergholt or Barking Ladies vs London Colney; Hutton Ladies or Hawkwell Athletic vs Great Berry Ladies or Royston Town.

Second Qualifying Round (Sunday 12th October 2008): Harlow Athletic or Sawbridgeworth Town or C & K Basildon vs Hoddesdon Owls or Dagenham & Redbridge or Hemel Hempstead Town or Billericay Ladies; Sherrardswood Ladies or Saffron Walden Town or Stevenage Borough Vixens vs Braintree Town or Tring Athletic or Brentwood Town; Hitchin Hearts or Runwell Hospital or Hannakins Ladies vs Garston or Tempest or Runwell & Rayleigh Raiders; Hutton Ladies or Hawkwell Athletic Ladies or Great Berry Ladies or Royston Town vs West Bergholt or Barking or London Colney.

Third Qualifying Round (Sunday 26th October 2008): Hitchin Hearts or Runwell Hospital or Hannakins Ladies or Garston or Tempest or Runwell & Rayleigh Raiders vs Hutton Ladies or Hawkwell Athletic Ladies or Great Berry Ladies or Royston Town or West Bergholt or Barking Ladies or London Colney; Sherrardswood Ladies or Saffron Walden Town or Stevenage Borough Vixens or Braintree Town or Tring Athletic or Brentwood Town vs Harlow Athletic or Sawbridgeworth Town or C & K Basildon or Hoddesdon Owls or Dagenham & Redbridge or Hemel Hempstead Town or Billericay Ladies.

 
  
 

SOUTH EAST 4 v 4 SUCCESS AT SHOEBURYNESS!
 
Shoeburyness High School recently played host to a Girls 4 v 4 Festival to promote opportunities for young female players in the South-East of the County, with Essex County Girls League Committee Member Jacki Meaney the driving force behind the nine-team event.

The Festival, linked with the School Sports Partnership, saw local clubs take part in five competitive games and get the opportunity to participate in the Speed-Agility-Quickness (S.A.Q.) Station run by new E.C.F.A. Community Coach Lucy Faraday.

Club involvement came from Leigh Ramblers, Assandun Vikings, Ashingdon and Hawkwell Athletic and, for some players, it was one of their first competitive games. Moving forward, the clubs are aiming to enter the Essex County Girls' League's new Mini-Soccer Seven-a-Side Division for Under 10s.

Girls' & Women's Development Officer for the Essex County F.A., Emma Wake, was pleased with how the event was staged: "The morning went really well, with the girls getting maximum touches on the ball and really working on their skills. Each girl was rewarded at the end of the Festival with a Goody Bag and a Certificate. It was great for all the clubs to come together and decide how best to move forward. Hopefully, in the future, the South-East will have their very own league, who knows!"
 
 
  

Girls' Football Fun During Summer Holidays
 
Girls' football hits the streets of Essex this month as the E.C.F.A. Summer Coaching Programme gets underway, starting off with a session aiming to increase the involvement of young females in one of the County's London Boroughs.
 

 
Newham provides the springboard for Essex County F.A. Community Coaches Andy Edmunds and Lucy Faraday to begin their road show of local events on Monday 28th July with the goal of introducing football to girls aged five to eleven years of age or ability in specific areas across the County and East London.
 
After paying a visit to Newham, an area highlighted in the brand new E.C.F.A. Strategy as under-represented in the girls' game, the pair will move on to Clacton, Barking & Dagenham then Epping Forest, and Andy is confident figures can be boosted: "We put the Programme together to try and increase girls' participation in the four specific regions we've targeted. The girls, as an exit route, will then have the opportunity to play for a team, so if the numbers at each venue are good we have a better chance of creating more teams in that specific area."
 
The sessions will be based on technique, skill and fun activities and will be open for young people who may or may not have played football before. It will be rolled-out from 10:00am until 3:00pm, on a Monday to Thursday basis, and will cost just 50p per day. It will also provide a chance for girls to meet new friends and learn skills and game-related practices. Andy and Lucy will lead the sessions with the support of F.A. Skills Coaches, Young Leaders and Football Development Officers who will occasionally attend one-off sessions to offer different football drills.
 
"This is the first year we have run this type of programme, so if it's a success we would hope to run a similar programme next year but maybe take it to the next level and work in more areas that need our services," Andy continued. "We will work on basic and advanced practices depending on the ability of the group in each area and they will be able to play a sport they may never have played before. Football and the fun games which will be played will also be a great way to keep fit."
 
Essex & Suffolk Water have shown their support for the Programme by providing packs of their '97' bottled tap water to keep the children hydrated. The figure represents the amount of purification checks  it  passes  through  before  reaching
the taps of customers. Ann Wareham, spokesperson for the company, said: "Each 500ml bottle of '97' contains a quarter of the daily amount of water recommended for an adult - we should drink at least eight glasses, or two litres, every day."
The Sessions will take place as below, where a Booking Form can also be downloaded. Further details can be obtained by speaking to either Andy or Lucy on (01245) 393090 or sending an E-Mail to andy.edmunds@essexfa.com or lucy.faraday@essexfa.com
 

Click HERE to download a Booking Form

 
Newham - Flanders Field, Melbourne Road, East Ham, E6 2RU
Monday 28th July - Thursday 31st July, 10:00am until 3:00pm

Clacton - Clacton Leisure Centre, Vista Road, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 6DB
Monday 4th August - Thursday 7th August, 10:00am until 3:00pm

Barking & Dagenham - Mayesbrook Park, Lodge Avenue, Barking, RM8 2JH
Monday 11th August - Thursday 14th August, 10:00am until 3:00pm

Epping Forest - Buckhurst Hill F.C., Roding Lane, Buckhurst Hill, IG9 6BJ
Monday 25th August - Thursday 28th August, 10:00am until 3:00pm
 

Girls' Festival Attracts Record Player Figures
 
Records went tumbling at the Essex County Football Association's annual Brentwood Girls 7-a-Side Festival recently as over one hundred and fifty young females contested the E.ON-sponsored event at the Brentwood Preparatory School.
 

 
Thanks to the help and organization of Mrs Woodford, the school's Head of P.E., eleven schools participated in the day that included a Year Five and Six Girls Tournament and a 4 v 4 Festival for girls in Years Three and Four. A Fair Play scoring system was in place throughout the afternoon which rewarded good sportsmanship and keeping the spirit of the day in mind at all times. The winning team were presented with a brand new kit bag full of E.ON-sponsored merchandise.
 
E.C.F.A. Girls' & Women's Football Development Officer, Emma Wake, was highly positive about the event, commenting: "Participation rates for girls playing football, outside of the educational environment, are relatively high in the Brentwood area, if not the highest in the County. It's nice to put this tournament on for Brentwood as a thank you to the teachers for encouraging their female players to connect with local clubs and linking with the clubs themselves. The tournament is always popular and teams are keen to get their school's name on the Essex County F.A. Shield!"
 
Schools & Education F.D.O. at the County Office, Lana Bond, was also delighted the 
Festival had been so well-received: "The feedback has been fantastic and all the teams that took part really seemed to enjoy themselves. We linked each team with a successful Premier League Women's team, which the girls seemed to like. One school, Buttsbury Junior, even kitted-out every player in Chelsea strip! A big thank you goes to the Brentwood Prep for hosting the competition and all the teachers who made the effort to bring the girls along."
 
Every girl took home an E.ON medal and certificate, but St. Thomas of Canterbury were overall winners at the end of the afternoon, scooping the Trophy for the third time. St. Helen's were runners-up while Kelvedon Hatch took home the Fair Play Prize. The Essex County Football Association would like to thank St. Thomas of Canterbury, Hutton All Saints, Long Ridings, Kelvedon Hatch, Doddinghurst, Woodlands, Brentwood Prep, Buttsbury Juniors, Wickford Junior, St. Helen's and Ingrave Johnstone.
 

Winners St.Thomas of Canterbury showing-off their Shield and Certificates !
 

Less is More at North-East 4 v 4
 
Primary Schools in Clacton ignored the terrible weather to come out in force when the north-east of the County took part in a 'girls only' afternoon of football at Clacton Leisure Centre prepared by the Essex County Football Association.
 

 
Girls from years five and six took part in a tournament organized by the Parent Teachers' Association while youngsters from years three and four were fortunate enough to take part in their very own Skills Clinic. Forty-nine years three and four girls spent the afternoon taking part in various Stations which worked on their shooting, passing and dribbling abilities and they also participated in a 'Speed, Agility and Quickness' (S.A.Q.) Station.

After an hour of skills, the girls were then put into teams for a small-sided round robin festival. Clacton United Girls F.C. were on-hand to promote club exit routes to each player and were handing out fliers promoting their own Taster Day.

"The afternoon went really well considering the conditions," highlighted Essex County F.A. Girls' & Women's Football Development Officer Emma Wake. "The rain didn't stop and, at one point, I thought no schools would show up! Then, the next minute, forty eight and nine year-old girls were running around actively taking part and having fun with all the coaches!"

E.C.F.A. organisers were grateful to the schools who supported the event, including: St. Clare's, Alton Park, St. Osyth, Rolph, Ravenscroft, St. Andrew's and Great Clacton. Many of these have been involved in the Taster Sessions that have been on offer throughout the area via the E.C.F.A. Girls' Development Programme which has been linking girls with their local clubs. Ultimately, the aim is to form a league in the region specifically for girls.

"It is so important to get schoolgirls playing football from a young age", Emma continued. "If a young female is introduced to football, or any sport for that matter, it will encourage them to get active and leave youngsters with a positive impression of females and female coaches in sport. If they're never introduced to opportunities within sports for females it will only lead to increases in sedentary lifestyles."

4 v 4 football is well received in the north-east and is an easier format to administer. Where teams may be struggling to find players there is a reduced pressure on a manager to find ten or more girls. "Clacton United Girls F.C. are really keen to expand their girls' section. Hopefully, by getting involved in the festival and the tasters, the club have gained exposure and recognition which ultimately leads to girls being more willing to join them afterwards," Emma concluded.

Clacton United Girls' Taster Days take place on Thursday 19th and Thursday 26th June between 7:00-8:00pm at Clacton Leisure Centre. Meanwhile, schools or clubs interested in girls' football in any capacity, especially in the north-east of the County, can gather more information from Emma Wake (01245) 393076 or E-Mail emma.wake@essexfa.com
 
 
 

PLAYER PATHWAY
 
 
There is a clear pathway for girls entering the game, which provides a structure for those who are talented and committed enough to reach the top levels of the game.

National Curriculum/School Teams & Competitions

The Football Association is working closely with schools to develop more opportunities for girls to play within designated P.E. lessons. In 2002, a Sport England survey showed that only 13 per cent of girls had access to football coaching in P.E. lessons, yet football is the sport of choice for girls (Youth Sport Trust/Nike study, 2001). 52% of girls have no experience of ever playing football and 331,000 of girls who currently play kick-about football would like to join a football team (F.A. National Game Strategy Research 2007).

The F.A.'s Football Development teams, which include some specific Education Officers as well as Women's Officers, provide a support network to ensure opportunities are offered, teachers achieve F.A. curriculum-related qualifications and schools have access to approved equipment.

Schools' competitions, leagues and festivals for both primary and secondary aged girls are offered in every County by the Schools Football Associations and County F.A.s. In addition to this, E.S.F.A. run national competitions for girls of all ages.

F.A. School-Club Link Programme

The F.A. School-Club Link Programme is football's commitment to the delivery of the Physical Education and School Sport Club Links (P.E.S.S.C.L.) strategy document, which sets out to ensure all children, whatever their circumstances or abilities, should be able to participate in and enjoy physical education and sport.

Through the delivery of The F.A. National Framework, the project sets out to increase the number of young people playing in F.A.-accredited Charter Standard or Ability Counts Clubs. It also aims to develop sustainable relationships between schools and local clubs to provide a clear pathway and enable young people the chance to continue their football participation.

This programme has initiated a substantial number of girls-only courses, under the banner of 3 Lions F.C., all over the Country. Over 12,500 girls participate in The F.A. School-Club Link programme every year, with an estimated 300 new teams being created annually.

Grassroots Affiliated Clubs

Primary school aged girls get their first taste of playing club football with Mini-Soccer. The game is played on small pitches with small goals and can be played by mixed or single-gender teams. Once girls reach secondary school age they can then progress onto 9 v 9 or the traditional 11-a-side football. Futsal (F.I.F.A. 5-a-side) is also being introduced to girls and women.

County Representative Squads

Essex fields two very strong squads at the Under 14s (school years eight and nine) and Under 16s (years ten and eleven) age groups. Trials take place, ordinarily, within the October Half Term. The Under 14s squad play approximately five fixtures per season between November and April. These are usually arranged to avoid clashes with Centre of Excellence games. Season 2007/08 saw the Essex Under 14s Girls win the S.E.E.S.F.A. Trophy for the first time. The Under 16s also compete within a regional competition, which they have won for the past two seasons (2005/06 and 06/07). However, if they are successful within their regional league they are then entered into a national knockout competition. For the last two seasons Essex have been knocked-out by Hampshire in the semi-finals (2005/06) and the quarters (2006/07).

F.A. Centres of Excellence

There are 52 licensed F.A. Centres of Excellence in operation across England. These Centres provide weekly quality coaching and a quality fixture programme against the other talented players at neighbouring counties for talented girls from the age of 8-16. The F.A. provides a substantial grant per season to each Centre to assist with the running of their programmes and gives them a direction. Each Centre is either attached to a County F.A., a County Sports Partnership or a men's professional club. Essex County F.A.'s Female Centres of Excellence include Leyton Orient in the London Boroughs and Colchester United for the rest of Essex.

Regional Camps

Regional Camps were introduced this year and Centres of Excellence are asked to nominate five or six of their strongest, most effective players to attend a one-day training camp that's usually set-up at a central location within each region. The morning is spent with players involved in opposed and unopposed sessions. The afternoon is spent with players involved in games. England Scouts assess the players throughout the day.

National Player Development Centre

In 2001, The F.A. Launched a National Player Development Centre at Loughborough University. This national academy takes applications from approximately 20 players per academic year on a fully-funded football scholarship for up to four years. The Centre is managed by Coach Lois Fidler and provides coaching from Monday-Friday, alongside the players continuing their education.

England Under 23s, 19s, 17s and 15s

There has been a huge success rate of players from the National Player Development Centre representing England from Youth right through to Senior level, notably Casey Stoney, Amanda Barr and, most recently, Karen Carney. Since Hope Powell assumed her position as National Coach in 1998, four England youth teams have been introduced.

The Under 15s side currently meets for training camps and is an early introduction to international exposure. The Under 17s, managed by Lois Fidler, recently reached the final four of the European Under 17s Championship and face France in the semi-final next month (May 2008). F.I.F.A. has also recently confirmed they will play in the inaugural Under 17s Women's World Cup in New Zealand later this year. The Under 19s are managed by former England captain Mo Marley and were last year's finalists in the U.E.F.A. Women's 2007 Under 19s Championships, losing to Germany 2-0 after extra time. An Under 19s F.I.F.A. World Championship is held every two years.

The Under 23s team was launched in 2004 to bring England into line with the leading nations in women's football. England have competed to good effect in the annual Nordic Cup competition alongside the Scandinavian nations, Germany and the U.S.A. The team finished third in 2005 and is managed by Assistant National Coach Brent Hills. The first home international was played in November 2006 and achieved a crowd of 5,000 at Exeter City in a friendly international against France.

England Seniors

The England Senior team is ranked 10th in the world and their best tournament finish was a runners-up spot in the 1984 European Championships. The National Coach is Hope Powell, a former player who amassed 66 caps and scored 33 goals from midfield. Hope hung-up her playing boots when she took over as the first full-time manager (and The F.A.'s first female and first black national coach) in June 1998. She has received an O.B.E. for her services to the game and was the first female coach to earn the U.E.F.A. Pro-Licence - the highest football coaching qualification available.

England qualified automatically for the Women's Euro 2005 Championship and went into the tournament on the back of a record ten-match unbeaten run. However, the team cruelly missed out on progressing after beating Finland in their opening game, then losing to Denmark (1-2) and Sweden (0-1).

England clinched top spot in their tough World Cup qualification group, finishing above France and Holland to book their place at the final tournament. They travelled to China in September 2007 to compete with the best teams in the world in the 5th F.I.F.A. Women's World Cup Finals and were drawn in a group with Germany (reigning World and European champions), Argentina and Japan.

They exceeded all expectations when they finished second in their group, drawing with the eventual winners, Germany, 0-0. They were then knocked-out in the quarter-finals by the powerhouse U.S.A. team, 3-1. However, the Competition received fantastic media coverage across the nation and put England on the women's football map.