The success of the #BoyFromBrent is also inspiring the next generation of female footballers in Brent.
Brent Schools’ Football Association – for whom the superstar #BoyFromBrent Raheem Sterling played for, has a thriving girls programme with teams from Under-9 to Under-15.
Based at the excellent facilities at Capital City Academy, the Association is running an FA Wildcats Centre for girls aged from 5 to 11 year old. In addition, the Association has signed up to the FA “Stepping Over the Lines” project and “Unite” girls football pilots.
Stepping Over the Lines encourages more mothers or female carers to take the leap and get involved with supporting the girls’ Wildcats sessions.
To encourage this, the Middlesex FA sent two experienced female FA coaches – Emily Hill and Katie Phillipson – to a Brent Wildcats session to meet the Mums and have a fun session discussing ways to get involved. This session was well attended and included hints and tips on coaching including signposting the new FA Playmaker course, which is designed as an accessible way to start coaching.
The Brent Unite programme is also based at Capital City and focusses on girls aged 12-14, giving them the opportunity to enjoy football at whatever level they want, whether that’s for fun or to be competitive. Brent Schools’ FA Chair Chris Ampofo observed “Girls football is booming in Brent and we are very excited to be taking part in these two FA initiatives.
The support that we receive from Capital City, local volunteers and the Wembley National Stadium Trust is fantastic. After such a difficult year we are really looking forward to continuing to grow girls football in Brent”
For more information about FA Weetabix Wildcats, click here.
Weetabix Wildcats is a fun way for girls aged 5-11 to get involved with football. Everyone is super awesome; from the friends you’ll meet to The FA qualified coaches and volunteers who deliver the sessions.
So, what is Weetabix Wildcats? Well, it’s non-competitive football for girls who want to give it a go for the very first time or want to play with other girls their own age. Most importantly, Weetabix Wildcats is all about having loads of fun and meeting new amazing friends.
Sessions focus on developing your child’s fundamental movement skills – agility, balance coordination and speed – required not only for football but for all sports.
Girls will learn new football skills, make brilliant friendships and have fun together. Each session kicks off with a team talk, introducing any children who are new to Weetabix Wildcats and explaining what the session will involve.
Then it’s time for the fun to begin.
Football skills are incorporated into themed games and activities. Some of the children’s favourite themes include pirates, jungle animals and superheroes – this also helps to engage your child’s imagination and develop their creativity.