Sports Academy to increase girls’ grassroots football

BARNSLEY Sports Academy has formed a partnership with Barnsley and District Schools Football Association (FA), the Barnsley Schoolgirls Football Partnership and Barnsley Women’s FC to launch a Wildcats Football Centre.

Wildcats is a FA initiative to increase girls’ participation in football. The partnership will offer girls aged five to 11 a chance to try football for the first time and provide regular opportunities to play. Playing football can help girls make friends, have fun and be active.

The new agreement could open doors for female College students who are looking to get a foothold in football coaching or refereeing. Barnsley Women’s Football Club will be providing financial support for students to gain their coaching or refereeing qualifications.

Steve Gates, Director of Barnsley Women’s FC, Strategic Lead of Barnsley Schoolgirls FA Partnership and Chairperson of Barnsley and District Schools FA, said: “This is a perfect opportunity for girls who wish to try football for the first time and those wanting to play regularly will be signposted into Barnsley Women’s FC.

“The sessions will take place weekly, when the College re-opens, focusing on making friends, having fun and being active through football. The sessions will be led by female College students who are aspiring to become top FA coaches and football officials. College students will be given direct access to the Barnsley Women’s Under 18 and reserves teams.”

Luke Forgione, Sports Performance and Athlete Development Coordinator at Barnsley College, added: “These opportunities do not come along often, we are very fortunate that Steve has given us the opportunity to be an official partner and we look forward to a long and mutually-beneficial partnership.

“Our students now have their foot in the door with the Wildcats Centre, they just have to show they are capable of performing at the level required.”

Please note the Wildcats Football Centre will remain closed until the College re-opens because of COVID-19. To register your interest or for general enquires please contact Luke Forgione by email l.forgione@barnsley. ac.uk or Steve Gates by phone 07841 511532.