Football Festival Kicks off the Season for Girls

20th September 2010

Teams from West Cumbria gathered at Whitehaven Astro on Sunday 12 September to kick off the new season for the girls. A day of sunshine was a great start for the season where girls at under 12 and under 14 took part in a friendly 5 aside festival giving valuable match time to new players and teams in preparation for the league season.
The West Cumbria Youth League will be running Under 12 and Under 14 age groups this season and all teams are still looking for new players to join the action. The league kicks off in October and the festival was organised to support new and established teams in order to prepare their players.
Teams from Whitehaven Amateurs, Bransty Rangers, Cockermouth, Crosby Comets, Windscale and Workington Juniors took part in the day and there was plenty of quality football and goals to be seen.
With two brand new clubs entering the girl's league for the first time this season (Cockermouth and Crosby Comets) there is plenty of opportunity for girls in West Cumbria to play football out of school. The next festival takes place in a few weeks time and with the County Cup kicking off the teams will be getting straight into the action. More information will be out shortly for girls at under 10 to take part in some regional football sessions.
Helen Aitchison, Girls and Women's Football Development Officer commented "The event was played in a great atmosphere with the girls enjoying the opportunity to play a number of fixtures against different teams. The friendly format meant there was no pressure on the girls which allowed them to try new skills and tricks on the field."
The festival also gave players from the Cumbria Girls Centre of Excellence an opportunity to volunteer in the grassroots game. The girls supported the festival by refereeing during the day and did a great job especially as for some this was their first experience of officiating.

For information on local FA Charter Standard Clubs please see below:
Bransty Rangers - Bransty Rangers have teams in U12 and U14's and are also looking to develop the U10's age group. Contact Kim Graham on 07599124498 for more information.
Cockermouth - This is a new team and the club are hoping to enter teams at both age groups. The club are developing at the moment and are keen to welcome any girls at any age group to training. Contact Rolf Cooley on 07922 030359 for more details.
Crosby Comets - A new team at U12, with a number of players taking part in U10 mixed football. This season will be the first girl's team for the club and are based near Maryport. For more information contact Andrew Banks 07786804747.
Cleator Moor Celtic - The club are working hard to enter teams into the league next season. Volunteers and players are needed at the club. For more details contact Peter Hodgson on 07761445510.
Seaton - Seaton have teams at U10, U12, U14 and U16. For more information on the club, contact Tracy Ofee on 07894761828.
Windscale - Windscale have teams at U10, U12, U14 and U16 and are based in Egremont. Contact Ronnie Cowen on 01946 821955 for more details.
Workington Juniors FC - This season the club will be entering an U14 team into the league. The club are keen to encourage younger players into the club but are also looking for volunteers. Contact Mike Tindall 01900 870685 for more details.
Whitehaven Amateurs - Whitehaven have entered the league for the past two seasons but are currently on the lookout for a new coach. In order for the girls to enter next season, they need a coach to help with the team - for further information please contact Helen Aitchison for more details.
Contact Helen Aitchison, Girls and Women's Football Development Officer