Preston North End Community and Education Trust [PNECET] is revitalising its Weetabix Wildcats girls’ football programme by introducing three new football sessions across Preston.
Wildcats is an inclusive football programme for 5-11 year olds, taking place is a fun, safe environment. It is designed to give girls their first taste of football but also to provide transition into sustainable playing opportunities.
In conjunction with The EFL Trust and the FA, PNECET’s existing Wildcats programme will expand significantly with the addition of three new sessions in addition to the one currently running.
Funding stems from the Girls Talent Inclusion programme which aims to identify talented young female players in community settings and signpost them to the England Talent Pathways.
Two sessions are being introduced on a Monday evening, at PlayFootball Preston from 5pm until 6pm, and at Preston College from 6pm until 7pm.
A further session is also being introduced at the Callon All-Weather Pitch with dates and timings still to be confirmed.
The session at Preston College will take place on the 3G astro-turf pitch meaning moulds or astro-turf trainers can be worn, however at Preston College and the Callon All-Weather pitch trainers must be worn.
Sagwati Malabi, PNECET’s Schools Provision Officer and Women and Girls Football Lead, coach for the Preston North End Women’s Junior U15s, and a member of the North West Advisory Board for the Girls Talent Inclusion programme, is excited by the imminent increase in girls’ football provision across Preston.
He said: “We’re delighted to be expanding our girls’ football provision, thanks to funding from the FA and EFL Trust, particularly during the Women’s European Championships, which will have left countless girls feeling inspired and wanting to get involved in football.
“Our three new, free football sessions across Preston will provide girls with fantastic opportunities to get involved in football and reach those with currently no provision in place, at no cost to them.
“We hope these sessions can lead to more girls becoming interested and actively involved in football, demonstrating that football is a game for all.”
Parents, guardians or accompanying adults are welcome to stay and watch at Wildcats sessions, or return at the conclusion of the session, according to their personal preference.
PNECET’s current Wildcats session at PlayFootball Preston on a Thursday evening will continue to run, albeit at the continued price of £2 a session. Girls attending this session for the first time will continue to receive their first session for free.
A full list of Wildcats sessions can be found below:
|
Day |
Location |
Time |
Cost |
Age Group |
Start date |
|
Monday |
PlayFootball Preston (In the sports hall, PR2 3TX) |
5pm – 6pm |
Free |
Five to 11-year-olds |
25th July |
|
Monday |
Preston College (PR2 8UR) |
6pm – 7pm |
Free |
Five to 11-year-olds |
25th July |
|
Wednesday |
Callon All-Weather Pitch (PR1 4UD) |
5pm - 6pm |
Free |
Five to 11-year-olds |
27th July |
|
Thursday |
PlayFootball Preston (In the sports hall, PR2 3TX) |
5pm – 6pm |
£2 (first session free) |
Five to 11-year-olds |
Session has already begun |
The Trust’s girls’ football provision also includes the PL Kicks programme, where a number of other mixed, free football sessions are delivered across Preston every week, with more details available here [pne.com/plkicks].
The Kicks programme includes a girls-only football session at Chorley Youth Zone every Friday night, also free, excluding the cost of entry to the Youth Zone.
PNECET also oversees the running of Preston North End Women’s Football Club, which has junior teams from U10s up to U16 level. Aspiring players can request to join one of their teams by completing an online enquiry form here [link], or can get in touch by emailing pnewfc@pne.com for additional enquiries.
For more information about the Trust’s girls’ football provision, please email sagwati.malabi@pne.com.