Launched by The FA, the participation initiative will encourage girls to play football during the England Women’s UEFA Women’s Euro campaign.
Faye White (Photo: onEdition)
As the England Women’s football team competes in the UEFA Women’s Euro this summer, The FA has launched Girls’ Football Week – Euro Celebrations, a participation initiative aimed at getting girls playing football.
Whilst England’s Lionesses strive for glory in the Netherlands, girls around the country back home will be able to emulate their football idols by taking part in sessions throughout the entirety of the tournament (Sunday 16 July – Sunday 6 August).
A number of girls were today joined by former-Lioness, Faye White, to launch the initiative, taking part in a training session underneath the iconic Wembley Stadium and getting some tips from White – with 90 caps to her name – on what it’s like to be a Lioness.
Faye White and two team captains (Photo: onEdition)
Following the success of previous Girls’ Football Week initiatives, including two separate weeks in 2016 which saw over 130,000 girls get involved, The FA has looked to use the Lionesses and UEFA Women’s Euro tournament to help inspire girls to try football for the first time or take part in an official session.
Helping support The FA’s Gameplan for Growth pledge to double the number of girls and women playing football by 2020, Girls’ Football Week – Euro Celebrations will give girls the chance to take part in official sessions near them. There are currently over 168 partners across the country set to deliver these sessions, with The FA welcoming more to sign up in the coming weeks.
Whether girls are at an existing club, team, or are even just inspired by the Lionesses to start something new this summer, they can find out more and a session near them at www.TheFA.com/ForGirls
At the launch, Faye White said: “The Girls’ Football Week – Euro Celebrations initiative is a great way to encourage girls throughout the country to get involved in the game. With the Lionesses off to Holland at the moment and excitement building across the country, hopefully this will act as a catalyst to inspire girls to get out and play football. With initiatives such as these and on-going programmes such as SSE Wildcats and The FA Lidl Skills there are more opportunities than ever before to get involved in the game. I personally can’t wait to watch the Lionesses compete this summer and hope to find the next generation of Lionesses in the coming weeks.”
Kelly Simmons, FA Participation and Development Director, added: “Girls’ Football Week has previously been a major success in terms of the participation of girls. With The FA’s Gameplan for Growth and target to double participation of women and girls by 2020, we’re looking to harness the excitement of the Lionesses involvement in the Euros to engage more girls than ever before to take part in football.”
One of the highlights of Girls’ Football Week – Euro Celebrations promises to be the Premier League Girls’ Festival taking place at St George’s Park, the home of England’s elite training facility. This showcase event is run in conjunction with the Premier League and will see 43 teams from Premier League and English Football League community trusts competing in a Round Robin tournament on 27 & 28 July, with a winner announced at the end of each day.
Existing football clubs, SSE Wildcats delivery clubs, community trusts, FA Lidl Skills teams and County FAs across the country are still encouraged to register activities as part of Girls’ Football Week – Euro Celebrations, including playing, training or even simply learning more about the beautiful game. Those interested in taking part will be provided with the following assets to set up their own Girls’ Football Week – Euro Celebrations activities:
- Girls’ Football Week – Euro Celebrations guide
- Lionesses UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 Activity Pack
- UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 Wall Planner
- Host of Digital Assets
To find out more about Girls’ Football Week – Euro Celebrations and register your involvement, visit: www.TheFA.com/ForGirls
Report courtesy of the FA
