Gillingham FC’s half-term Girls Only Soccer School proves a huge hit
This half-term Gillingham Football Club’s Community Trust teamed up with the Kent FA and FA Skills to offer a free Girls Only Soccer School. Girls from all over Kent were given the opportunity to attend the Soccer School, which was held at our first team training ground.Despite heavy rainfall in recent weeks the training ground looked immaculate and we can’t thank our groundsmen, Tony and Jay enough for all their hard work to ensure the session could go ahead.
40 girls from all over Kent took part in structured coaching sessions, ranging from basic ball skills to more advanced team work, before taking part in small-sided games in the afternoon. Then at the end of the day all the girls received a certificate of attendance and a voucher for two free tickets for an upcoming Gills home game.
During the day the girls were also able to watch and support our Girls Centre of Excellence Under-9 Development Squad who were hosting a Development Festival and were playing games against Brighton and Essex FA.
FA Tesco Skills Team Leader, Pete Sayer, expressed his delight at the success of the event, saying, “The FA Tesco Skills Team are delighted this event has taken place to give young girls in the county the chance to enjoy tailored coaching sessions and fun mini-soccer games during the half term.
“This is one of the first sessions we’ve put on specifically for girls and the opportunity has proven so popular we not only filled our capacity but received several more applications for girls to attend.”
Adam Lawrence, Director of Girls’ and Womens’ Football at Gillingham FC said: “It has been great to team up with the Kent FA and Tesco Skills team to deliver this free session for girls. We were delighted with the uptake and it was fantastic to see so many girls enjoying their football.
I am sure that we will be looking to organise another day, alongside our regular soccer schools in the near future.”
Kent FA Football Development Officer, Liz Symons, added: “It’s brilliant to see a free session like this taking place at a facility such as Gillingham’s training ground. We’re delighted the event was oversubscribed and look forward to continuing to offer such opportunities to get young girls playing football.”
The Kent FA is hosting a Women and Girls Football Roadshow where young players, volunteers and parents can learn more about how the game is developing in Kent and discover opportunities to play. Click here for more information