Crystal Palace stars Johnny Williams and Chris Kettings support the Female Football Development Programme at Darrick Wood School.

Crystal Palace stars Johnny Williams and Chris Kettings have returned to school to lend their support to the Female Football Development Programme.

The girls from the Darrick Wood Secondary School in Bromley were overjoyed with the chance to meet the players and were keen to ask for tips on how to progress within the game.

Williams and Kettings were happy to answer, emphasising the need for commitment and dedication, as well as discussing how they have progressed their careers from grassroots to life at the top of the professional game.

Project

The Crystal Palace FC Foundation was keen to be involved in the project from its inception and last year encouraged 320 young females to play football across South London boroughs from 12 secondary schools and one special needs school.

The target is to get 40,000 playing by August 2015 following £2.4m of National Lottery funding from Sport England into the FA.

“It’s fantastic and forward thinking that national football authorities recognise the need to provide equal opportunities in the game,” Crystal Palace co-owner Steve Browett said.

The girl’s programme is essential for proving young females with pathways into football

“Crystal Palace FC is very well placed to deliver programmes that support the nationwide push to establish the women’s game and increase it’s profile.

"We are passionate about all aspects of the game and are proud that the Palace badge can inspire all ages and all genders.”

'Fun, friends and fitness'

The Crystal Palace Foundation insists it is extremely important to offer the same opportunities and expertise of coaching to female participants as male and have actively supported the nationwide push to advance women’s participation.

“It is great to have journeyed ‘full circle’ with the Foundation,” Crystal Palace Foundation coach Zee Williams said.

“The girls' programme is essential for providing young females with pathways into football, opportunities to participate and routes to the competitive game.”

The programme is offered to girls aged 14 and over, with an emphasis on fun, friends and fitness.

The Foundation has established a wide network of links with local grassroots clubs, including Crystal Palace Ladies, to provide exit routes to participants beyond the 10-week programme.