Football is a hit with the girls at Ludlow

As part of an FA initiative in partnership with the Shropshire County FA, the 320-strong stars had the opportunity to be coached by two Aston Villa Ladies players.

Even untimely hail and blustery conditions could not dampen the enthusiasm that the Villa stars brought, as the day offered inspiration for the women's game.

The youngsters, between the age of six and 15, also had the opportunity to experience a multitude of activities.

They included five-a-side games, hair braiding and innovative testing equipment working on reaction and speed times, with the sessions being run by FA approved coaches.

They arrived with their respective primary and secondary schools with the view of the Shropshire FA to increase participation levels for girls across the school curriculum.

Eve Bailey, football development officer at the Shropshire FA, was absolutely delighted with the occasion. She said: "It was a massive day for us.

"There's a lack of schools football in south Shropshire at the moment and the whole point was to let them know – and how we did!

"We were chuffed with the schools and colleges that got involved. With the FA coming up and the Villa players and the women's FA Cup trophy, it was a huge event.

"The hard work now is to get all of these non-footballing schools active in the game and, hopefully, involved in our Shropshire Juniors Leagues."

Villa stars Elisha N'Dow and Katie Wilkinson were on hand to pass on tips of the trade and help explain to the girls what it takes to make the leap into women's football.

The versatile N'Dow, who graduated from Villa's Centre of Excellence and can play anywhere along the back-line or in midfield, revealed how playing in such a well-attended festival can do wonders for the girls' game.

She said: "Festivals are a way to show girls that other girls do play. A lot of the girls have grown up playing with boys, so showing that other girls do play means they can look to get with other teams."

Wilkinson, who has been Villa's top scorer in their two season's in the women's national second tier, insisted that such events can make youngsters believe that there is a future in the game.

She added: "These opportunities make them (young girls) realise there are opportunities for them out there.

"Half the problem with the girls is sometimes from the way other people portray football, as if it's not meant to be a women's game.

"But events like this go to show that it is a women's game and they are more than welcome to get involved with it and take it home with them and carry on playing where they live."

The festival was organised in association with Continental Tyres and their new Conti Warm Up programme.

They aim to provide an exciting, interactive football experience for both those new to the game and regular players.

The end goal is achieving increased participation through making opportunities available to girls who may not have had chances before.

One of the figures overseeing the event, women's football national project officer Caroline Hulme.

She added: "It is fantastic to see so many young girls enjoying playing football, some of whom it is their first experience of football and may even be the very first time they have kicked a ball.

"My huge thanks go to Eve Bailey and her team from Shropshire County FA for all the hard work they have put in leading up to the event, to ensure girls in the county have the opportunity to play."