A PRIVATE school is to host a leg of the world’s biggest all-girls football session.
Ardingly College will welcome over 200 pupils from 22 schools in Sussex, as players across the country take part in what is set to be the largest girls football event to date.
The training session on Wednesday, March 9, will be led by Ardingly’s football coaches, and is to be part of the school’s continuing celebrations for International Women’s Day.
Ross Millard, director of sport at Ardingly College, said: “We have had so much interest in this event, I’m thrilled.
“Girls football is a huge part of the sports programme here Ardingly, and we can’t wait to host an exciting morning that will involve skills training and match play. The girls will be encouraged to continue kicking a ball when they leave with some drills to do at home.
“We also run a number of sports programmes for the local community, including our weekly football and hockey clubs, for which we invite boys and girls in years six and under to come along.”
Let Girls Play is the latest initiative to come from the Girl’s Football School Partnerships (GFSP) group, a scheme by England Football.
They are working with the Football Association, and Barclays bank, to ensure girls have the same football opportunities as boys by 2024.
Louise Gear, the FA’s head of development, said: “Currently girls don’t have the same opportunity as boys to play football in schools.
“Our central strategic goal is to see that change, so that any girl who is inspired to play football will have the opportunity to do so.
“It is our hope that the Let Girls Play Biggest Ever Football Session will play a part in driving change, empowering and inspiring schools, teachers and parents across the country to join us in a show of support to unlock these unequal pathways.
“This wouldn’t be possible without the support of Barclays and our joint passion for equality.”
READ MORE: Women's football is rising but we need support
It comes as the GFSP revealed that only one third of girls aged five to 18 play football, while 91 per cent of girls without access to football, want it.
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