Community call for girls answered

Developed from scratch over the last three years by the EVO-STIK NPL Premier Division club, coaches at the academy are hoping to create their first girls side within the next two months.

The academy, which already has 20 teams playing in age groups from U7s to Under 18s, is set to continue its growth following the surge in the popularity of the women's game and increasing numbers of calls from the community for them to act.

Kicking off on Wednesday 25 January at the Spennymoor Leisure Centre, the sessions will be free for at least the first two months and the Moors say their DBS-checked staff are keen to see as many girls as possible from all age groups from four upwards attending.

Spennymoor Town's academy director Ryan Murray is pictured with other members of the youth club's board at the Brewery Field following the launch of the new initiative this week.

He said: “Our coaches have received a large number of requests from some of our parents and further afield for girls-only coaching sessions. There isn’t anything like this in the area. Not all young girls want to play alongside boys, so it’s important they aren’t discouraged from taking up football and are provided with an avenue to give it a go.

“We have four fully-qualified coaches waiting to take the reins on the girls’ sessions and set up a competitive squad. They comprise three men and one lady and are all experienced in children’s football.”

Murray added: “We hope to get a good number of regulars coming along to form a competitive squad. If anyone is on the fence or unsure, I’d urge them to just come and give it a go. They’ll receive support from the academy staff and a high standard of coaching.”

Despite gaining extra autonomy from Spennymoor Town to manage its strategic direction and finances by setting up its own board at the start of the season, Spennymoor Town Youth's links with Jason Ainsley's first team squad are as strong as ever with a string of U18 players earning call-ups to play Integro League Cup and Durham Challenge Cup games.

For more information on Spennymoor Town Youth FC, visit their Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/SpennymoorTownYouthFC/ or via the club's website.

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