STRATFORD Town Trust is pitching in to help kick start a girls’ football club’s future success.
Stratford Town Girls FC has four teams, which compete in the Central Warwickshire Girls and Ladies Football League, with players ranging in age from seven up to 17.
The clubs train on a Monday evening at the DCS Stadium and sessions are run by volunteers – many of whom are parents of past or current players.
But thanks to a Fast-Track grant from Stratford Town Trust to fund FA qualifications, many of these parents are now being helped to become coaches and referees.
One of the newly qualified coaches is Paul Nicholls whose son Kyle manages a team at the club and his daughter also plays.
Paul previously coached a school team, which included Molly Rouse, who is now part of the Aston Villa and England Under 17s squad.
And thanks to the funding from the town trust, Paul has been able to gain his Level 1 qualification – by undertaking 32 hours of training in everything from first aid to warm-up drills.
“It gives us a bigger toolbox to play with, broadening our horizons and showing us what we could be doing better,” said Paul.
Mike Botterill, acting chair of Stratford Town Girls FC, added: “To have FA qualified coaches and our own referees means the girls here are getting the very best opportunities we can give – that’s crucial because that then makes everything else happen.
“We are so grateful to Stratford Town Trust for their support, which has also given us great leverage to seek and gain further support elsewhere.”
Visit www.stratfordtownfc.co.uk, call Mike on 01789 297563 or email [email protected] for more information on Stratford Town Girls FC.
