Town in the Community get girl power
Shrewsbury Town in the Community held their first Female Football Development Festival at Shrewsbury Powerleague – with local school Meole Brace emerging victorious.
The Football League Trust proudly launched its Female Football Development programme (FFD) throughout England in 2014, with a goal to 'inspire the future female game.'
FFD sessions are aimed at 14 to 25-year-olds, in cohesion with county FAs, schools, colleges and universities to engage with fresh participants, as part of the new FA women's and girls programme.
The community team has delivered a 10-week coaching block to eight schools from across the county and borders area at schools.
They included Shrewsbury's Meole Brace together with Ercall Wood, Charlton, Hadley Learning Community, Adcote, Lacon Childe, Bridgnorth Endowed and Welshpool High.
The sessions culminated in a festival where the girls had the chance to play in a competitive environment.
The club's programme within the county has already engaged over 250 girls – and more than 50 of them took part at the festival.
Meole Brace emerged as the eventual winners in a very close contest. FFD festival organiser Peter Wilson said: "It was a great advert for the FFD programme and girls football.
"To have so many girls participate, including some who have never given it a go before, is pleasing to see.
"We are already looking forward to the next block where we look to again beat our targets set, hopefully growing the grassroots game in the process."
If any schools or clubs are interested in the FFD programme at the club, or Shrewsbury Town in the Community's Advanced Girls' Development Centre or Futsal and Education for girls.
They should contact community@shrewsburytown.co.uk or call (01743) 289 177, extension 216.
