On the ball for encouraging girls into sport

Children improved their football skills at a coaching session that was free for girls.

Around 30 youngsters, aged five to 11, attended the event at Newark Academy.

The coaching session, which was organised by the FA and Active4Today, was led by an FA-qualified coach.

It cost £5 for boys and was free for girls as part of an FA initiative to double the number of girls taking part in the sport.

Three out of the 30 children who attended the session at the home of youth football team Warriors FC were girls.

The children worked on technical skills such as dribbling, passing and how to master the ball.

They also looked at when to pass and dribble, and learned social skills such as teamwork and responsibility.

Increase in girls' teams

FA Skills coach Mr Kristan Hoskins, who led one of the sessions, said: “We work with clubs like this to teach their coaches new skills, to increase participation in the club and to make sure they are having fun and enjoyable sessions.

“We are looking at skills that are going to help the youngsters perform in matches.”

Mr Hopkins said the session was free for girls to encourage more of them to play football.

“We are seeing an increase in girls’ teams across the nation and across the county as well,” he said.

He said three girls attending the coaching was a good number because at a typical session they might only see boys.

Warriors FC footballer Kian Picker, 12, of Balderton, who was one of those taking part, said he learned where to run to on the pitch and positional play.

“During the six weeks’ holidays we do not do much training, so if we have some led by professionals that is good,” he said.