Photo: The FA

Together We Can brings together the SSE Wildcats scheme, which aims to drive football participation among girls, with the company’s goal of helping young women reach their full potential in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through its partnership with education charity Teach First and a broader policy of giving more women and girls employment chances in the energy sector.

More than 180 football coaches also received valuable advice and tips from FA coaches on the site, near Burton-on-Trent, as part of the day, as well as a talk from England legend Kelly Smith and current international Gemma Bonner.

Smith and Bonner were at St. George’s Park to encourage the coaches and pass on their experience and advice to an eager audience of coaches.

“I’m pleased to my name to it and show support for SSE’s efforts to grow women’s game and how it’s developing,” said Smith, England’s record goalscorer with 46 goals in 117 games.

“SSE have put a lot of money into helping us develop the game – it’s a fantastic opportunity and for the coaches to be here and learn from the FA coaching staff.

“They’re not your standard sessions, they’re trying to get as many girls out in an environment where they feel comfortable playing football.

“If I was a young girl now looking to play football, this campaign is fantastic because it gives youngsters opportunities specifically to go into girls’ football session.”

Liverpool skipper Bonner, who has scored once in ten appearances from centre-back for the national side, echoed her former international team-mates’ words.

“When I was young I never lucky enough to have this kind of scheme available – if we can pass on our help and encourage the girls to play even more, it can only benefit us in the long run,” she said.

The SSE Wildcats scheme is a drive launched last year which is aimed at attracting girls aged 5 to 11 to take up the beautiful game.

Originally there were 5,000 players across 200 football centres across the UK but this number is expected to shoot up to 900 centres boasting 24,000 new players.

SSE’s partnership with Teach First has seen the SSE Women’s FA Cup taken into schools around the country, often with a couple of star players to boot, to give children the chance to engage with the women’s game.

John Stewart, SSE’s director of human resources, said: “We’re extremely proud to support the SSE Women’s FA Cup; a competition which gives opportunities to clubs across the country no matter how big or small and inspires a new generation of young female talent to follow their dreams and hopefully, one day, realise their ambitions.”

Tracey Crouch, Minister for Sport and Civil Society, also praised the initiative, adding: “Getting more women and girls to take up sport is one of our key priorities.

“It’s fantastic to see the popularity of women’s football continue to rise and it is great that this investment and support by SSE will help further encourage more women and girls into the game.”

By Jimmy Booker, Sportsbeat

Laura Bassett (Photo: SSE)

In partnership with The FA, energy firm and proud sponsor of the Women’s FA Cup SSE have provided funding to clubs across the country to help increase the number of girls playing the game. Coventry United’s girls only football sessions are part of SSE’s commitment to supporting the women’s game, from the grass roots to the bright lights of Wembley Stadium where The SSE Women’s FA Cup Final will be held in May.

As a finalist with Notts County in the first ever SSE Women’s FA Cup Final to be played at Wembley, Bassett has seen first-hand how the appetite for the women’s football has grown and believes investment in grassroots will benefit the game for years to come. “To come back to my former club and see so many girls out here, getting involved and more importantly enjoying the game is amazing to see. I’ve experienced some brilliant moments as a footballer and I would love for these girls to go on and have those same experiences.”

Coventry United Ladies First Team Manager Jay Bradford echoed Bassett’s comments and believes there is no better time to be involved in the women’s game, urging more girls to lace up their boots. “I think it’s really great that an international of Laura Bassett’s calibre is able to come and interact with our juniors. I really hope they enjoy the experience and they see that they could be standing where she is in 15 years’ time.  As a club we’re hugely proud of the number of girls we’ve introduced to the game, and with SSE’s involvement we hope to be able to add many more.”

John Stewart, SSE’s Director of Human Resources believes SSE’s sponsorship of the SSE Women’s FA Cup is about more than just the elite players and is proud to be helping support the growth of the women’s game. “SSE is exceptionally proud to be sponsoring the SSE Women’s FA Cup and supporting the grassroots game, inspiring and encouraging more girls to take up the sport. For us this sponsorship not only brings huge awareness at the senior level of the game but most importantly will help dramatically increase the opportunities for girls to get involved in football.

“We’re delighted so many teams have signed up to take part and are helping deliver coaching sessions across the country to the next generation of footballers.”

You can find out more about the great work SSE are doing in women’s football  here.

Daisy and dad Kenny (Photo: SSE)

The story of this inspirational dad and his daughter illustrates that football can help overcome life’s greatest challenges

The short film is the second instalment in energy giant SSE’s three-part ‘Dads and Daughters’ series, a campaign that celebrates the inspirational father-daughter bonds that exist across all levels of the game, from grassroots to the elite.

Daisy, who hails from Peterborough in the East of England, fell in love with football at a young age thanks to time spent enjoying the game with her dad. But it wasn’t until Daisy was diagnosed with Tourette’s at the age of 6 that the pair realised the profound effect playing football would have on Daisy’s life.

Encouraged by her father Kenny, Daisy joined girls-only team Yaxley Football Club and has since found that while playing the sport, her symptoms, such as involuntary physical ticks and coughing, subside. Coupled with the friends Daisy has made and the confidence she’s taken from playing girls-only football, her venture into the sport looks set to continue for years to come.

Daisy and Eni celebrate (Photo: SSE)

The inspirational story of Daisy and Kenny is another example of the positive effect football can have on girls growing up in the UK.

To complete the story, Daisy’s footballing hero and Chelsea striker Eni Aluko was secretly invited to surprise Daisy and her teammates at a Yaxley Girls Club training session. After creating a scene of disbelief amongst both the girls and on-looking parents, the England Lioness was on hand to join in with the session itself.

You can watch the full film and find out more about Daisy and Kenny’s story, here.  You can also find out more about the work SSE are doing in women’s football here.

Report courtesy of SSE via Synergy.

Fran Kirby with Bracknell Town’s U11s (Photo: SSE)

Bracknell Town FC yesterday welcomed England and Chelsea star Fran Kirby to their latest session of a new girls-only under 11 football programme. The star forward was given a heroes reception by the group of more than 30 girls, all eager to listen to the advice offered by one of the game’s best known faces.

Kirby, who grew up in neighbouring Reading was joining Bracknell FC’s Carol Checkley and Tina Leahy to deliver a coaching session as part of a new girls-only participation programme being led by The FA and energy firm SSE. Designed to help introduce more girls to game, the programme offers them the opportunity to learn the foundations of football in a girls-only environment.

Fran takes a time out. (Photo: SSE)

It’s an approach that Kirby feels will bring benefits for both club and country in years to come. “It’s amazing to see so many girls taking part in these sessions, women’s football has made huge strides over the past couple of years and the new programme from The FA and SSE is another step to help ensure that progress continues”.

Bracknell Town FC Ladies player and junior Carol Checkley who runs the programme was delighted to receive a visit from Kirby and believes the support the club has received is of huge benefit to the girls “We’ve had brilliant support and I feel very grateful to both SSE and The FA for the funding which helps make this possible. Bracknell Town chairman Chris Day has always provided huge encouragement to the project and I feel so overwhelmed by seeing so many girls coming along to the sessions, enjoying themselves and making new friends. I hope more clubs can get on board and get more girls on the football field!”

Fran has a laugh with the girls. (Photo: SSE)

The programme has already seen more than 60 clubs from across the country sign up to receive funding to create girls’ only coaching sessions and build new competitive playing squads for girls. Clubs throughout the divisions including the likes of Arsenal Ladies, Yeovil Town FC and Durham Women FC have signed up to the programme providing more opportunities for girls to get involved in the game than ever before.

John Stewart, SSE’s Director of Human Resources, said: “SSE is exceptionally proud to be sponsoring the SSE Women’s FA Cup and supporting the grassroots game, inspiring and encouraging more girls to take up the sport. For us this sponsorship not only brings huge awareness at the senior level of the game but most importantly will help dramatically increase the opportunities for girls to get involved in football.

“We’re delighted so many teams have signed up to take part and are helping deliver coaching sessions across the country to the next generation of footballers.”

You can find out more about the work SSE are doing in women’s football as part of their #GirlsUnited campaign, here.

The 61 clubs that have signed up to the Participation Programme are:

• AFC Urmston Meadowside
• Arnold Town LFC
• Arsenal Ladies FC
• Bedford Ladies and Girls
• Blackburn Rovers
• Boldon C.A
• Bracknell Town LFC
• Bradford City Women
• Brandon Town Ladies
• Brentford
• Bristol City Women FC
• Carlisle United Ladies Football Club
• Charlton Athletic
• Cheltenham Town
• Chester le Street Town FC
• Chorley Ladies FC
• Colchester Town
• Coundon Court
• Coventry United
• Crawley Wasps Ladies FC
• Crewe Alexandra Ladies FC
• Crystal Palace Ladies FC
• Denham United
• Derby County
• Durham Women FC
• Farsley
• Forest Green Rovers
• Frome Town
• Gillingham
• Huddersfield Town
• Hull City Ladies Football Cub
• Ipswich Town
• Leeds Ladies
• Leek Town Ladies FC
• Lewes FC
• Long Lane LFC
• Loughborough Foxes
• Luton Town
• Millwall Lionesses Ladies FC
• Milton LFC
• Moulton Football Club
• Oadby & Wigston LFC
• Old Actonians
• Oxford United Women FC
• Poole Town Ladies
• QPR
• Riverside
• Rotherham United Ladies
• Royal Wootton Bassett Town Ladies FC
• Sheffield FC Ladies
• Sporting Khalsa Women
• St Nicholas
• Stoke City
• Swindon Town
• The New Saints Ladies FC (TNS Ladies)
• Tottenham Hotspur
• Winchester City Flyers
• Wolverhampton Wanderers Women FC
• Wymondham Town Ladies FC
• Wyrley Juniors Ladies FC
• Yeovil Town Ladies FC

Report courtesy of SSE via Synergy

Amy Turner (Photo: SSE)

The world’s oldest football club, Sheffield FC, yesterday welcomed back former player and England Lioness Amy Turner to lend a helping hand at a very special coaching session with an excited group of local school children.

The defender was taking part in a new girls-only coaching programme being led by The FA and energy firm SSE, which is designed not only to introduce girls to the fundamental skills of the game but also break the myth that football is a ‘game for boys’.

England and Notts County star Turner, who played for Sheffield FC in 2012, believes the increasing success of the women’s game can help break down barriers in the sport and encourage more young girls to get involved in football.  She said:  “The number of girls here was unbelievable, it shows just how much the game has come on and it’s great for the club and the area. We need to ensure girls enjoy playing the game and the girl’s united programme from The FA and SSE allows them to do just that”.

Girls from St Marie’s Primary School (Photo: SSE)

The sessions are run by Sheffield FC Ladies General Manager and former player Helen Mitchell and regularly see more than 30 St Marie’s Primary School girls take part.  Helen is determined to see this number grow and encourage more girls to take to the pitch.  She said: “It’s hugely important that we let girls enjoy the game from an early age, getting a first taste of football in an environment that allows them to flourish. Sheffield FC have a great history of promoting the women’s game and we’re proud to be a part of this new initiative.”

The programme has already seen more than 60 clubs throughout the divisions sign up to receive funding to create girls’ only coaching sessions and build new competitive playing squads for girls between the ages of five and 14.

Sheffield FC Ladies, the first club to earn promotion to WSL2, are one of five clubs in the Yorkshire area to be taking part in the programme, with Huddersfield Town, Leeds Ladies, Bradford City Women and Hull City Ladies all committing to deliver similar sessions to a new generation of footballers.

Alan Young, SSE’s Managing Director of Corporate Affairs, said: “SSE is exceptionally proud to be sponsoring the SSE Women’s FA Cup and supporting the grassroots game, inspiring and encouraging more girls to take up the sport. For us this sponsorship not only brings huge awareness at the senior level of the game but most importantly will help dramatically increase the opportunities for girls to get involved in football.

“We’re delighted so many teams have signed up to take part and are helping deliver coaching sessions across the country to the next generation of footballers.”

To find out more about the work SSE are doing in women’s football as part of their #GirlsUnited campaign, visit here.

Report courtesy of SSE via Synergy

Kelly Smith and her very proud dad (Photo: SSE)

The findings come as a result of a OnePoll survey, commissioned by the energy giant and sponsor of The SSE Women’s FA Cup for its Dads and Daughters campaign, which aims to encourage more young girls to start playing the beautiful game.

Keeping girls active is one of the key challenges dads around the country are currently facing, and playing football could be the solution as the summer months approach. As it stands, only a third of fathers currently play football with their daughters, while just two per cent believe she would be interested in the sport anyway.

Former England lioness Kelly Smith joined SSE to encourage more dads to have a kickabout with their daughters this weekend.

She said: “My dad played a pivotal role in supporting and encouraging me throughout my footballing career. From the fun hobby at the start to driving me to games and cheering me on the world stage.

“There are many dads around the UK doing a brilliant job of encouraging their daughters to be a part of football.  SSE’s sponsorship of the SSE Women’s FA Cup aims to grow the numbers of young girls playing the game and what better way to start than a father and daughter kickabout in the park this Father’s Day.”

SSE became the first major sponsor of the Woman’s FA Cup in 2015. The four year sponsorship aims to help grow the game’s profile but importantly provide vital funding into grassroots football.

Colin Banks, Head of Sponsorship for SSE said: “Just one per cent of fathers think their daughters would pick a career as a footballer, if given the choice. We think the number could be much higher and what better way to encourage more young girls to get involved in sport than a family football game for Father’s Day?

Kelly with the SSE FA Cup Trophy (Photo: SSE)

“Kelly had tremendous support from her family which enabled her to compete at the highest level but a friendly kickabout this weekend could be just the encouragement young girls need to consider getting involved in the grassroots game.”

Dads are clearly conscious of the disparity that exists between girls and boys in football, with nearly a third of fathers in the UK saying they feel there is still a stigma around girls pursuing certain sports or hobbies.

In fact, many dads have suggested that their daughters are eight times more likely to pick a career in dance, theatre or hairdressing over football, while only one per cent of fathers think their daughters would pick a career as a footballer, if given the choice.

This may explain why 20 per cent of fathers actively encourage their sons to take an interest in football, whereas that figure drops to just seven per cent for girls.

The survey also revealed that fathers believe teaching tops the chart for both boys (52%) and girls (68%) when it comes to which professions act as the best role-models for children.  SSE, through the FA, is working with clubs across the country to give more young people the chance to take part in the game – even just for fun – and encourage girls in particular to enjoy the sport.

SSE’s Dads and Daughters campaign celebrates fathers around the country who have played a major part in encouraging their daughters to get involved in football. Three films are being created to tell the stories of the special father-daughter bonds across all levels of the game, from grassroots to the elite.

The first film features Arsenal Ladies striker and former England Lioness Kelly Smith who recently won The SSE Women’s FA Cup, and is available to view here.

If you are a dad who already plays football with your daughter – please get in touch via this website or twitter and send us your photos – we’d love to hear from you!

Report courtesy of SSE via Synergy

Samantha, who played Éponine in the Oscar-winning film, will sing God Save The Queen ahead of kick-off (2pm) at Wembley Stadium connected by EE on Saturday 14 May.

The match, which this year is a London derby between thirteen-time winners Arsenal and holders Chelsea, will be live on BBC One.

Samantha first made her name in the BBC reality show I’d Do Anything before appearing in West End and touring productions of Les Misérables, Cabaret, Chicago and Oliver.

She recently appeared in Bear Grylls: Mission Survive, where she was a runner-up to series winner, Arsenal captain Alex Scott and she will be touring the UK in June to promote her new album.

Barks said: “It’s an honour to perform at Wembley Stadium on what will be such an exciting occasion.  I feel especially privileged have the chance to support women’s football and my wonderful friend Alex.”

Before the game, Capital FM breakfast show DJ Lilah Parsons will provide the music for supporters at the stadium.

Lilah Parsons has DJ’d at many live events including Paris Fashion Week and she also has a successful and varied presenting career, including a weekly chart show for MTV and a number of awards ceremonies.

She said: “I’m very proud to be supporting women’s football at Wembley Stadium. I’ll be playing some great tunes to get the girls energised before kick-off!”

This year, thanks to The FA’s partnership with SSE, all children can attend The Final for free. Adult tickets are priced £15 and group booking discounts apply.

Tickets are available here or by calling 0844 826 2010.

Report courtesy of the FA

Look at that wall – Lucy lines up a free kick!

The England stars were subject to one of their most testing fixtures yet, as a side of girls between the ages of 5 and 14 put a special England Ladies XI through their paces. Starring for the Lionesses was Lucy Bronze, who is capped 29 times for England Ladies and currently plays for Manchester City WFC, alongside goalkeeper Karen Bardsley, her teammate for both club and country.

You can see how they got on here.

As the school girls celebrated playing against their footballing heroes, The FA and SSE announced the launch of the new Participation Programme which is set to massively increase the opportunities for girls around the country to play football.

The programme, which is currently open to WSL1, WSL2 and Women’s Premier League sides, will provide funding for existing football clubs who wish to create girls only coaching sessions and build new competitive playing squads for girls between the ages of 5 and 14. Significantly, the grant system will exclusively support girls only football to help increase girls only football provisions across the country.

No way through! Lucy considers her options.

Describing the occasion, Lucy Bronze stated, ”Lining up against that number of girls is one of the most incredible sights I’ve ever experienced, not only as an England player but throughout my career! As footballers we want to inspire as many people as possible to play football and it was great to meet so many girls who love to play. I’m excited that through this new initiative, more girls around the country will be given the chance to play the game.”

To date, 34 clubs have successfully applied for the programme which will run as a pilot for the remainder of 2016. Applications are still being received and the programme will stay open to all clubs at all levels that are registered with County FA’s until May, with the ambition of engaging even more football teams in the scheme moving into 2017.

From Arsenal in the WSL1 through to Bradford City WFC in the Women’s Premier League, the clubs currently taking part in the scheme stretch across the UK, demonstrating the wide demand for improved girl’s only football provisions.

FA director of football participation and development, Kelly Simmons, said: “This is a fantastic initiative that will really make a difference in girls’ participation numbers. We know that our clubs provide an invaluable route to playing football for so many girls and this initiative will allow them to do even more good work in their communities.

Female football participation is one of our key areas of focus at the FA and this will help to drive participation rates even further.”

Alan Young, SSE Managing Director of Corporate Affairs, said: “Giving so many school girls get the chance to take on their heroes in what turned out to be such a one sided match epitomises the inclusive and fun nature of The SSE Women’s FA Cup.

Everyone at SSE is exceptionally proud to sponsor such an important competition and very excited about how everything is progressing. We’ve started to see the plans we’re making with The FA to grow the women’s game take shape and the Participation Programme is another huge step in ensuring girls have the best possible chance to get involved in the beautiful game – one of the main reasons we entered this partnership.”

To find out more about the work SSE are doing in women’s football, visit: www.SSE.co.uk/girls-united 

Report courtesy of SSE via Synergy

In a first for The SSE Women’s FA Cup, players from the clubs involved in the competition were invited to witness the Semi-final draw live, provoking some brilliant reactions amongst the England team mates as their competing club teams were pitted against each other for the chance to play at Wembley in the highly anticipated Final on the 14 May.

Gilly Flaherty (Chelsea LFC), Demi Stokes (Manchester City WFC), Alex Scott (Arsenal LFC) and Rachael Laws (Sunderland AFC Ladies) also went head-to-head with their predictions for the two fixtures – watch here to find out who thinks there team may run away with a 10-1 victory…

And just to clarify the Semi Final line up is:

Arsenal LFC v Sunderland AFC Ladies
Chelsea LFC v Manchester City  WFC

Semi finals will be played on Sunday 17 April.

Report courtesy of Synergy (on behalf of SSE)

Sporting’s reward is a Sixth Round tie on April 2^nd against Manchester City Women, a side containing a host of England’s Lionesses including team skipper Steph Houghton and World Cup star Lucy Bronze.

The award is a brand new initiative for The SSE Women’s FA Cup, rewarding exceptional performances in each round of the competition and recognising the talent in the women’s game. Earlier winners of the award are: Precious Hamilton of Long Eaton from Round 1; Leah Rawle from Tottenham from Round 2; Gemma Shepherd of Charlton from Round 3 and  Yeovil’s Charlotte Haynes from the 4th Round.

Sporting started the brighter of the two sides, pressing Brighton high up the pitch and their approach quickly paid dividends. Conroy opening the scoring, rising highest in the Brighton box to powerfully head home a corner inside 10 minutes. Sporting’s excellent start continued and they added a second on 14 minutes through Summer Holmes before Abbi Cottam looked to have put the game to bed with Sporting’s third.

However after going 3-0 down inside the opening 20 minutes, Brighton’s response was impressive and they flooded forward, pulling a goal back before half time. After the restart it was Brighton who were in the ascendency and they netted their third goal before levelling the tie on 81 minutes.

However there was a further twist in the thrilling contest and it was Sporting who found an unlikely late winner. Conroy rising again to meet a free kick with an excellent glancing header that went in off the post, her second of the game and the decider in a superb match and Conroy is already looking forward to the big Sixth Round tie:

“It was a crazy game, I don’t think they expected us to press them so hard so early on and it took them by surprise. Obviously we then had to defend for most of the game so to come up with a winner late on was amazing. Playing Manchester City will be difficult but a great experience, we are going to go there and enjoy it”

Sporting Club Albion are now the lowest ranked team in the competition, in a quarter final draw that features six FA WSL1 sides including Arsenal Ladies, last year’s finalists Notts County Ladies and current holders Chelsea Ladies.

This award, which is voted for by a panel of women’s football experts including BBC Sport’s Jo Currie, Sport Magazine’s Sarah Shephard, women’s football expert Tony Leighton and the Offside Rule’s Lynsey Hooper, will continue round-by-round until the highly anticipated Final which takes place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 14 May and thanks to The FA’s partnership with SSE, all children will be able to attend for free. Adult tickets are priced at £15 and group bookings and charter standard discounts are also available.

Tickets for The Final are on sale now here or by calling 0844 826 2010.

You can read more about the FA Cup here.

Report courtesy of Synergy (on behalf of SSE) and The FA