NEW PROGRAMME DESIGNED TO GET GIRLS FALLING IN LOVE WITH FOOTBALL
A programme aimed at encouraging more girls to play football is underway across Wales. With 23 locations involved in the first phase of Huddle, it is hoped the scheme will roll out to more areas in April.
Huddle is the brainchild of the FAW Trust – the organisation responsible for grassroots football in Wales. Targeting girls aged between five and 12, the programme is designed to be a fun, sociable introduction to the game.
Katy Evans is the FAW Trust's football development manager for girls participation. She hopes that many more girls in Wales fall in love with football:
"We know there is huge demand from girls in schools to play football but that isn't reflected in the numbers of girls going along to a club. We've got some really ambitious targets because we want to see every girl in Wales having the opportunity to try out the game.”
“We see lots of girls coming along feeling quite shy and unsure about football, but once they’ve had a taste of Huddle they soon realise it’s a game for everyone.
"Huddle bridges the gap between having a taste of football at school and joining a club. It focusses on girls being able to play skill games in a fun environment with their friends."
Around 800 girls from the Gwent area played in the South Wales League last season.
The FAW Trust has set the ambitious target of 20,000 registered female players across Wales by 2024.
Clubs are awarded a grant, which can be spent on kit, promotion or facility hire. They also undertake Huddle training and receive a speaker to help run the sessions.
Following the 10-12 week course, the Huddle coordinator will help signpost girls to suitable local clubs if they wish.
For more details and to sign up, please visit www.huddle.cymru.
