According to a recent survey conducted by Women In Sport, lack of opportunities on offer to girls after they leave school is a key factor as to why they don’t take part in sports as they progress onto higher education.
So how can we help? The survey said we can help in different ways. The main one being inside school/colleges. Women In Sport suggest girls should have the opportunity to access sports as well as being able to do well academically.
In Dudley, Stourbridge FC wanted and therefore decided to give girls the opportunity to play football and still gain an education at the same time. They did this by launching a Women’s Football Academy and Education programme which takes place at Dudley College.
Head coach of the Stourbridge Ladies Academy Mike Harris said: “The reason we set up the ladies academy was to make sure the young women coming to the college had the same opportunities as the boys to play football and partner education with their football at college, as we found it’s something the girls find really important.
“The girls in the academy really value their education and It’s really important to their families too.”
Within the academy, there are a huge number of courses available and the girls aren’t limited to just sports courses. Also, they have the opportunity to train as an elite footballer with brilliant coaching and support.
Harris added: “We don’t want to limit the girls, they can study any level of college programme. We’ve had great examples of girls this year studying A-levels who’ve gone on to do very well academically as well as being good on the pitch.”
When playing, the girls will play within the ECFA Premier Division. The programme presents a pathway to the senior women’s game.
Harris added: “The academy is a really important stepping stone for young female footballers as it gives girls at college the opportunity to see the pathway towards first team football.
“And with the game becoming more visibly present in the media, we can only see the game becoming more financially stable for girls to step into the game.”
The Women’s academy has had a successful first year, it was set up during a pandemic which alone brought lots of challenges but so many girls were interested and have enjoyed it massively. It’s hoped that other clubs across the country will do the same thing.
Harris said: “We are delighted with the progress of the academy in its first year, to get it started during a pandemic was challenging but, to get girls interested in the programme and have a great year is amazing.
“We’ve already spoken to girls coming onto the programme next year too which is exciting. The college has also been fantastic, we hope we can continue working alongside them in the future to bring more girls into football.
“Other local clubs could do the same, but it needs to be done right, girls academies are a fantastic thing when done right and well. But ultimately through working closely with the FA and the county FA’s everyone’s aim should be to give girls access to as many opportunities to help them step into the world of football.”
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