FA Girls’ Football Festival heads to Sussex

With the England squad in full force at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada, the festival is bound to be one of the most successful and inspirational yet.

The festivals are a joint initiative by The FA and Continental Tyres, providing girls aged five to 16 with an exciting, interactive football experience for both those new to the game and regular players.

The free programme, aimed at encouraging girls to participate in football, is open to young girls from primary, secondary and special needs schools, within Sussex.

BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - APRIL 30: Girls from local schools take part in activities during the FA Girls' Football Festival at St Georges Park on April 30, 2015 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger - The FA/The FA via Getty Images) 551725773

This particular event has been organised with the support of the Sussex FA and Brighton and Hove Albion FC, the host venue.

Young players attending will have the chance to meet Lily Agg and Naomi Cole from FA Women’s Super League 2 side Millwall Lionesses.

Also, referee ambassador Paula Wyatt will be visiting, joined by Charlotte Lade-Rogers, one of the world’s leading professional football freestylers, who will be demonstrating her amazing football tricks and skills before showing the girls how to do the same.

Each festival is led by FA approved coaches and will include sessions from the FA Skills team and Football Mash Up.

The girls will be taking part in a number of activities including; interactive games, mini matches, a goalkeeping session, referee training and the Conti Warm Up Programme – the coaching programme endorsed by The FA.

There is also a range of innovative equipment aimed at testing reactions, speed, power and skill, and an interactive trailer that houses trophies and digital stations to entertain girls during intervals.

Kelly Simmons, director of the National Game and Women’s Football, said: “Growing female participation in football is one of our biggest aims and the festivals give girls the opportunity to try out football in a fun and engaging environment.

“That so many of last year’s participants said they’d like to continue playing football after trying it at the festivals shows how effective programmes like these can be and why it’s important that we take the festivals around the country.

“We’d like to thank Continental Tyres for their continued support for the festivals and women’s football and we’re anticipating another successful year in 2015.”