Efforts to encourage girls to take up football have intensified across the UK, but challenges remain.
Despite significant progress in visibility and opportunities for women and girls in football, many grassroots organisations are working to overcome barriers such as lack of awareness, stereotypes and limited resources.
The stories of two local leaders, Joanne from the Merseyside County Schools Football Association (MCSFA) and Stephen Bennett from Rainhill United, have highlighted both the creative strategies and current challenges in finding new ways to boost participation in the sport.
Stephen said: “The girls playing at our club love playing football just as much as any of the boys. It’s brilliant to see and it’s a real privilege to be part of helping them develop their game and continue to love playing.”
The Growth of Girls’ Football
Statistics indicate a steady increase in girls’ football participation. The Football Association revealed in 2023 that over 3.4 million women and girls in England play football regularly, a 17% increase since 2020.
This could be due to the recent successes of women’s football in England, the 2021 European Championships triumph in particular. Despite these promising numbers, grassroots clubs often report difficulties in attracting and retaining young players, particularly at the entry level.
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In many communities, opportunities for girls to explore football remain limited. For younger age groups, mixed-gender environments dominate, which can either encourage confidence or create disinterest depending on the club culture and support system.
Building sustainable teams and ensuring long-term development are key challenges that clubs like Rainhill United and organizations like the MCSFA are addressing with unique approaches.
A Community Centred Approach
Joanne from MCSFA explains that they incorporate social action projects into their activities, such as a coat and blanket collection drive for the Liverpool YMCA. These initiatives create a sense of belonging and community among players, helping them connect with football and their local area.
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This dual approach – combining elite representation with community outreach has proven to be a powerful way to keep players engaged.
Joanne said: “As part of their county duties we engage in social action projects across the season to give back to our community and to enhance player belonging & cohesion to our organisation.”
Such efforts provide girls with a deeper sense of purpose tied to their football journey, making the sport more than just a game.
Tackling Recruitment Challenges
Rainhill United has faced hurdles in attracting girls to their club, particularly in the younger age groups. Stephen, who manages their U13 girls’ team, acknowledges that communication has been a challenge.
He said: “Our communications as a club haven’t been where we would like them over the last 12 months or so, but we’ve made significant improvements lately.
“We now try to post content about our girls teams and show footage of the wildcats/academy sessions so parents can see what it’s about football in a fun, relaxed setting.”
Until age six, girls play alongside boys, which allows them to build confidence and develop technical skills.
Despite this effort, Stephen points to marketing and visibility as areas needing further growth for their girls’ teams.
He said: “There is definitely demand out there for girls’ football, our challenge as a club is attracting them to come and play at a young age in large enough numbers to start up new teams when they are ready”.
Tailored Approaches for Girls’ Development
One key aspect Stephen highlights is the importance of creating training sessions specifically for girls. While the fundamental goal is to ensure enjoyment and engagement for all, he observes that girls are often less enthusiastic about the physical side of the game early on.
He explains: “I think the main difference with the girls is probably that they are generally less enthusiastic about the physical side of the game so we tend not to put too many physical drills into the sessions early on and focus more on the technical aspects.”
Creating a positive and supportive environment is essential to retaining players and their love for the game at such an early stage.
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A Path to Inclusive Growth
As grassroots football organisations continue to find innovative ways to attract girls to the sport, the experiences of leaders like the ones at these clubs underline the importance of community engagement, communication, and creative training methods.
While there are challenges, the passion and dedication of those at the heart of these initiatives offer hope for a future where every girl has the opportunity to play football in a supportive and inspiring environment.
