England’s Lionesses showed great pride, determination, and hard work in winning a thrilling game of football recently in the Women’s EURO Championship Final.
These footballers are such amazing role models for many girls and women across the country, inspiring them to be the next generation of female participants in football continuing their legacy.
This Tuesday, Fulham FC Foundation hosted a special event for girls aged 5-14 to celebrate England’s EUROs success. Starting the morning off with some Lionesses themed football sessions, where the girls aspired to be like their role models, followed by a health and wellbeing workshop about how footballers can keep their mind and body fit as well as knowing “it’s ok not to be ok”, learning from Fran Kirby’s story.
The afternoon was packed full of Russo backheel goal recreations after which we were privileged to have a Q&A session with some special guests; Helen Ogle, Fulham FC Women’s First team player, Emma Eaton, Surrey FA’s Female Football Development Officer, and Fulham celebrity Billy the Badger!
At Fulham FC Foundation we want to inspire and empower all women and girls to engage in our activities and events.
- This summer we are offering a range of holiday courses, including: Mixed, Girls Only and Girl’s Development Centre camps.
- We also offer Mixed and Girls only Skills Clubs for girls aged 3-14 years to create more opportunities to enjoy the game, and the life skills that come with it.
- Our popular Girls Kicks programme is for ages 11-19 years, provides a safe and friendly environment for young females to engage in a fun football session focusing on develop individual skills and improve well-being.
- Alongside this we offer programmes for disabled young people and adults, including: Down’s Syndrome Badgers Club, Active Autism, Blind and Partially Sighted Football and Pan Disability Football Clubs.
- For girls who wish to progress their skills further or receive extra training alongside their grassroots team we host a Girls Development Centre for ages 8-16 years. This programme aims to develop a player’s technical and tactical knowledge of the game through top level coaching.
- We have a range of adult health and wellbeing programmes for women which focus on physical and mental wellbeing such as Walking Football, Fulham Fit and Fulham Memories session.
Niamh Barnett, Female Development Officer, explains her Fulham ‘See it to Believe it’ journey: "In 2017, I completed my work experience at Fulham FC Foundation where I supported the female football development officer in post at the time. This opportunity inspired me to want to work in football and in particular the female game.
"I have since graduated from UCFB Wembley after studying Sports Psychology while I worked coaching girl’s football, after school clubs, PE lessons, mental health in schools and PAN disability.
"When I saw this role advertised for Fulham FC Foundation, I jumped at the chance and today I feel very fortunate to now be working in this role where I get to promote and inspire young girls and women to develop their football and create genuine and meaningful opportunities for them to have a lifelong love of the sport.
"It’s a privilege to be working in a sport that I love and particularly for Fulham, the club inspired me to follow my ambitions."
Feedback from our recent Girls Development Centre sessions
- "I love being able to go to football every week. The coaches are really great! Since I’ve been going they’ve helped me to get so much better at football, and I have been showing off my skills to my friends at school."
- "I like the way the coaches at Girls Development Centre train us with motivation and practice how to become a better footballer."
