Herefordshire girls go football crazy

Herefordshire Council has been working with the Herefordshire Football Association to select some of the county's most talented football hopefuls to begin a special 21-week football development training programme for girls this month.

Last term the county's schools were invited to nominate their best players to attend trials across a range of age groups. Nearly 160 girls aged between eight and 16 were put through their paces in two gruelling sessions held at the Hereford Leisure Centre. Sixty-six girls were selected to attend the development centre and will represent the county over the forthcoming season.

The programme aims to select potential talent in four age groups: under 10s, under 12s, under 14s and under 16s, and give the girls top quality coaching to improve their technical skills and reach their full potential.

The development centre has formed strong links with local clubs to help and encourage girls to achieve high standards of football excellence. At the same time the centre provides a route for the most talented to be identified and recruited to one of the country's FA licensed centres of excellence.

Those selected to be part of this programme will have their progress assessed on a regular basis. Not only their skills will be monitored, but their commitment, attitude and behaviour - anyone not meeting the grade will be asked to relinquish their place to someone on the reserve list.

Alexis Lunn, girls' and women's football development officer, said: "We're delighted that so many girls are choosing to play football. It is an increasingly popular sport for girls, and as a result the level of skill across the county has improved dramatically.

"The development centre will help some of our most talented girls improve their skills and be assessed by centre directors from local centres of excellence."

The development centre is managed and organised by Herefordshire Council with support and funding from Herefordshire FA and the Football Association.