Stratford Town set up new open age women's team
WOMEN who are keen to play football are being invited to put their boots on and sign up for a new open-age team that has been formed at Stratford Town.
The team is being established now with a view to entering a league competition from the summer.
Training takes place every Wednesday from 8.30pm to 9.30pm on the 3G pitch at the Arden Garages Stadium in Knights Lane.
Charlie Jones, chair of Stratford Town women and girls, told the Herald: “Having an open-age women’s team will give our young girls a proper pathway.
“It’s great for the girls to be able to get the opportunities to play football. I wanted to play myself, but struggled to play with the boys.
“Boys now are happy to have girls on the team but it’s also good for the girls to have their own teams and leagues to play in.
“We’ve been thinking about having an open-age team for the last few years, but we needed enough interest to set one up.
“Stratford Town have helped us to provide what we need and it’s great we can get the girls playing and sort out a proper pathway for them.
“Previously, once the girls reached open age, they’d just stop playing as they had nowhere to go, but now there is the option for them to stay at Stratford Town and progress further.”
Stratford Town chairman Jed McCrory added: “I’m really excited as there’s now a pathway in place for our girls to get into the women’s first team.
“We are a club that wants to be here for the community and having an open-age women’s team gives our younger players a chance to progress even further.”
The new open-age team are seeking women aged 18 and over who have recently stopped playing, are new to the area, or are already playing and looking for a new challenge.
Keen 16- and 17-year-olds are also welcome to sign up for the team.
Alongside the open-age team, Stratford Town also offers football opportunities for female players of all ages from five years upwards, with age group teams up to U17s playing in the Central Warwickshire Girls Football League as well as a 35-plus team.
Stratford Town are also a registered Wildcats centre. The scheme offers girls aged five to 11 the chance to play football in a non-competitive environment.
“It’s all about teaching the girls the basics of football, having fun and making new friends,” said Jones.
“Being part of the Wildcats gives girls a confidence booster before they decide to join a team. We’re looking to sort out dates for when we will hold the Wildcats sessions very soon.”
For more information about the new open-age team, call team manager Ben Sutton on 07772 203154 or email stratfordtowngirlsfc@hotmail.com.
