AFC STONEHAM are doing their bit to encourage girls to take up football.

An SSE FA Wildcats Centre is coming to the Purples’ ground in Chestnut Avenue, Eastleigh, on Monday (April 23), starting at 6pm.

This will be a free taster session before the centre officially opens on Monday, April 30 (6pm).

Wildcats Centres have been set up by The FA to provide girls, aged 5-11, with regular opportunities to play.

The initiative offers organised sessions in a fun and engaging environment created exclusively for girls.

More than 200 clubs were established throughout England in 2017 and a further 800 are launching this year.

Sessions take place on a weekly basis, either after school or at weekends, and provide a safe environment where girls can try football for the first time.

The AFC Stoneham sessions will include fun games, multi-skill activities, football coaching, core exercise and an opportunity to meet new friends.

Each SSE Wildcats Girls’ Football Centre is run in conjunction with the county FA using qualified coaches and local facilities. There are also opportunities for attending parents, carers and siblings to engage with the sport at the same time through ‘family sessions’ including soccercise and walking football.

The initiative is in line with The FA’s Gameplan for Growth, which aims to double girls’ participation in the sport by 2020.

The strategy for women’s and girls’ football at grassroots level includes initiatives alongside SSE Wildcats, such as FA Girls’ Football Week starting on Monday April 23 (6pm) at AFC Stoneham’s HP Arena, Eastleigh, SO50 9PF.

Further details can be obtained via Helen on 07747 011966 or youthsecretary@afcstoneham.co.uk