Second FA Girls’ Football Week of 2016 to run from October 10-16

The second FA Girls’ Football Week this year kicks off in October with a strong emphasis on getting more females in further and higher education playing the beautiful game.

The scheme - running from 10-16 October - will be delivered in partnership with the Independent Schools FA, English Schools FA, Association of Colleges Sport, British Universities and Colleges Sport, the Premier League and the English Football League.

Further and higher education establishments will be encouraged to put on female-specific sessions in the hope that more than 22,000 will take part, which would represent a 20 per cent increase on October 2015.

In April more than 52,000 young females took part in the first FA Girls' Football Week of the year, participating in sessions delivered in schools, clubs, and community groups across the country.

That figure was more than double the original target, and the second instalment of Girls' Football Week aims to take the total number of females reaping the benefits of the programme this year to more than 75,000.

"After the success of our first week in April, it's important that we continue to build on this in October," said FA director of football participation and development Kelly Simmons, who played for the University of Warwick during her student days.

"We're encouraging as many further and higher educational institutions as possible, along with schools, clubs and other organisations to put on sessions and give more women and girls the chance to play football.

"Hopefully these will prove popular and will continue to run throughout the academic year, giving people the opportunity to play regularly and enjoy their football, which we know is crucial to increasing participation."

Meanwhile, Sheffield FC, welcomed back former defender and England Lioness Amy Turner this week for a special girls-only coaching programme.

Dozens of girls from nearby St Marie's primary school attended the first of 12 weekly sessions led by The FA and energy firm SSE, designed to introduce girls to the fundamental skills of the game and help break the myth that football is a 'game for boys'.

"The number of girls here was unbelievable, it shows just how much the game has come on and it's great for the club and the area," Notts County Ladies defender Turner said.

"We need to ensure girls enjoy playing the game and the girl's united programme from The FA and SSE allows them to do just that".

Sheffield FC Ladies general manager Helen Mitchell added: "It's hugely important that we let girls enjoy the game from an early age, getting a first taste of football in an environment that allows them to flourish.

"Sheffield FC have a great history of promoting the women's game and we're proud to be a part of this new initiative."