WOMEN AND GIRLS ROUND-UP

Gillingham Ladies kick started the new season in style beating Bedford Ladies 9-0 at home at Chatham Town FC. The promising start sets the tone for what is predicted to be another fantastic season for growth of women’s and girls’ football at Gillingham Football Club.

A haul from Kallie Balfour, a brace by Shannon Redhouse and goals from Emma Tune, Chelsea Wallace and Madison North sealed a triumphant 9-0 victory for Gills Ladies over Bedford Town Ladies.

After a disappointing delay to the start of the new campaign, the Gills were evidently ready and raring to go, scoring three goals in the opening 30 minutes of their first competitive fixture.

Creating plenty of opportunities throughout the 90 minutes, Gillingham Ladies produced a competent passing display with exciting attacking movements giving home fans plenty to enjoy.

Next, the Ladies travel to FA WPL Southern Division side Brighton and Hove Albion this Sunday in the FA Women’s Premier League Cup.

Joint Gillingham Ladies Manager Darren Hare praised Jack Wheeler and his work with the women’s team since his appointment in June.

Hare said, “Jack has been a breath of fresh air since he came in the building. He has got the girls motivated, working hard and he has got them fit. I’ve got to say, I think that was very evident against Bedford Ladies.”

Hare added; “We also showed some quality today and we had to be professional late on because when you get so many goals in front, you can sometimes get complacent and make the wrong decisions. We asked the girls at half time to be professional, disciplined and think about the good habits. I’m really pleased they went on to do and deservedly won by a lot of goals.” 

Gillingham Ladies Centre of Excellence graduate and Academy student Madison North was granted a birthday wish, coming on for Gills Ladies and scoring her first senior goal against Bedford Ladies.

After the game North said: “I was happy to come on and wanted to make an impact on the game. I was pleased to assist my friend Chelsea who got herself and goal and I got myself a birthday goal too – so it was a very good!”

Young footballers from across the county were welcomed to Beechings Cross Training Ground last week as Gillingham FC’s Community Trust teamed up with the Kent FA and FA Skills team to provide a free soccer school.

Players aged 5-12 enjoyed a morning’s training with FA qualified coaches before breaking out into games and enjoying a presentation with Gillingham Ladies goalkeeper, Imogen Alabaster.

Gills Ladies first team players Charlie Thurston, Rachel Ahern, Emma Tune and Courtney Shanly visited the Gillingham FC Girls Centre of Excellence training session last week.

Joining in with training and getting to know the future stars of the club, the senior players also came equipped with free season ticket cards for the CoE players.

The season tickets enable the future generation of Gills Ladies player to come along to home games at Chatham Town FC free of charge, an offer many took up last Sunday afternoon.

Centre of Excellence graduate and Girls Academy player Laurel Collins was awarded Bexley College’s Student of the Year.

Laurel has achieved a distinction in her first year as an Academy Student, is a keen learner, eager to help her peers and displays a professional attitude at all times, in and out of the football club.

Laurel and her group of Girls Academy peers have been an absolute please to have at the club and really set the standard for the Academy going forward.

Ahead of the 2015/16 season, Gillingham Ladies are delighted to announce fans will be able to purchase a season ticket for the very first time.

As the club’s fan base grows from season to season, it’s with great delight the club can announce the opportunity for fans to collect a season ticket for the new FA WPL campaign.

Season tickets for adults will cost just £25 and enable Gills Ladies fans access to all league home games and half price tickets for cup fixtures.

Season tickets will be available to purchase from the club’s ticket office, as well as at match days. You can also buy online here: http://www.gillinghamfc.talent-sport.co.uk/PagesPublic/ProductBrowse/productaway.aspx

If you’d like to show your support for Kent’s best women’s team and support their further growth and development, why not pick up a season ticket today?

Contact gillsladies@priestfield.com for further information

A big well done to Gillingham FC Centre of Excellence player Katie Startup who has been called up to the  England Women’s U17 Team Training Camp at Loughborough University in August!