ACCRINGTON Girls and Ladies FC have formally launched their "Acorns Squad" thanks to a grant from the Football Foundation.
The club, which was founded in 2002 by a few enthusiastic parents who wanted somewhere for their daughters to play football, has been fundamental in the development of Girls and Ladies Football in the Hyndburn Area.
The club successfully renewed its Charter Standard Status last year and was also Hyndburn Community Club for 2008 having previously won the award in 2004.
As part of it’s Development Plan, the club is actively developing links with partner schools and due to the award of grants has been able to run taster sessions at Peel Park, Hyndburn Park and Mount Carmel Schools.
It’s hoped that many other schools will also participate in the scheme over the next three years.
Anne Ellwood, Club Development Officer, has been delighted with the response from the schools and the girls taking part and hopes that many of the girls will now become active members of the club.
She said: " As a club we feel that targeting the six- 11 age group will be beneficial for the development of the game in the local area.
"We already have a number of girls from age six upwards who are mainly sisters or friends of existing players who have joined the club without us actively recruiting.
"For us as a club the underlying issue is that the girls enjoy playing football in a safe and friendly environment."
The launch of Accrington Acorns took place at one of the taster sessions held at Peel Park Primary School with representatives from the Lancashire FA, the school and girls who had taken part in the sessions over the previous two months.
Further information on the club is available from the club website www.aglfc.org.uk or by contacting Anne Ellwood, Club Development Officer on 01254 389367.
