Around the Counties: How Devon FA is Developing the Girls’ Game

Devon FA reports a surge in female participation it credits partly to England’s national team and the rising profile of the WSL. The county now has more than seventy girls’ teams across three leagues, another thirty women’s sides from county to regional level, and eight female disability teams in its Ability Counts League. Targeted funding has helped clubs start new girls’ teams and the FA Wildcats Centres have raised football’s profile among primary-aged girls, showing up in record entries to the county’s schoolgirls’ and futsal competitions. An under-18 division now bridges the gap to the adult league, and the Girls’ Advanced Coaching Centre runs squads at three age groups – a pathway whose output includes three players then in the top flight.