WOMEN’S Euro 2022 was a huge success for the England team and the Lionesses captivated the nation with their historic win. Locally, women’s and girls’ football was already seeing a boom in recent years and things look set to skyrocket in the months ahead.
“We’ve got around 125 girls and women at the club already and we’ve already seen a lot more interest since the Euros,” said Melksham Town FC girls’ football coach, Rob Bridges.
“In July, we ran a girls’ 6-a-side tournament and had 100 teams enter that, coming from as far afield as Sussex. It really is exciting times for girls’ football.
“We run teams from the Wildcats at under-7s, right through to the Women’s senior team, and numbers have been increasing in all age groups. We’ve had eight enquiries this week alone and that is unusual for August during the holidays as it’s usually September when things pick up.
“The Euro win really put the spotlight on the women’s game and we’re optimistic it will significantly help the sport going forward.
“At Melksham Town, we have a clear pathway for girls to rise through the ranks, from an early age, right through to the women’s first team.
“We start at ages seven to ten with the Wildcats programme, which aims to get young girls into football. At this age it’s all about fun; the kids love it.
“We’ve then got teams in the 11 to 16 age groups – they train each week and play in the Mid-Wilts Youth Leagues; and we are starting a new under-18s team which will be the bridge to the adult team.
“The women’s team came second in the Wiltshire Ladies’ Premier League last season, so we will be looking to go one better this season.
“Girls’ football in Melksham is doing so well and is getting more and more popular. As a club, our aim is to provide just as big an opportunity for girls as for boys. We always had players that have come through the ranks of the club breaking into the men’s first team and the same is now happening with the women.
“The club is also a stepping stone to go further. Libby Waylen has gone on to join the Bristol City Development Squad and others have gone on to play at a higher level, which is great to see.
“Now we need to get football on the curriculum in local schools. We had the local MP, Michelle Donelan, at the club last week saying that’s something she will be taking up.
“The FA are trying to get girls’ football into schools by 2024; that’s what the girls need; that’s the next step to help girls’ football really take off. They should at least be given the opportunity, which is far from the case at the moment.”
At county level, women’s football is also booming.
“In the Wiltshire league, three years ago, we had 1,000 players for the first time; last season we were up to 1,600 and it will grow again this year, so you can see how the sport is progressing,” said Rob who is also fixtures and results secretary for Wiltshire Ladies’ and Girls’ League
“We have a record number of 122 teams from under-9 to ladies for season 22-23.
“One of the problems going forward though, will be the availability of pitches – there is already a shortage – and of coaches. The FA is putting money into girls’ football but there will be a problem with pitches; we are going to struggle. In Swindon, they are already struggling to get games on and that’s without the expected boost from the Euros.”
But Rob is really optimistic for the future.
“The standard of girls’ and women’s football is improving all the time; and with the England national team being such fantastic role models and such an inspiration, that is only going to get better,” he said.
“The skill level is phenomenal and is improving all the time. The youngsters have got all the tricks as well; it’s fantastic to see.
“Women’s football is becoming more and more popular and with the Lionesses winning the Euros, I can only see things going from strength to strength.”
• If you are interested in joining Melksham Town Girls, email girlssection@melkshamtownfc.net
