County Spotlight: Sheffield & Hallamshire women’s and girls’ football

The Around the Counties slot, sponsored by Bluefin Sport, reports on women’s and girls’ football in Sheffield and Hallamshire. The county has secured two of eleven funding pots from the FA and UEFA to increase participation among black, Asian and minority ethnic women, working through Arches School Sport Partnership in the Fir Vale area and Zest Community in Netherthorpe and Upperthorpe. Arches has developed a leadership opportunity linking secondary and primary schools through a Key Stage 1 girls’ football programme, using young leaders who have completed the Junior Football Leaders Award as role models, and stages an annual festival with a guest appearance by Doncaster Rovers Belles player Millie Bright. Zest runs open sessions in a sports hall for girls who had not previously played because of religion and faith. Development officer Eva Egginton explains the approach.