Young female footballers in Harrogate are getting more of a chance to sharpen their skills thanks to a local sporting community interest company and new funding from a regional employer.
The Sporting Influence Foundation CIC has launched a free, weekly Girls’ Football Academy at Ashville Sports Centre in Harrogate which will run during term times until Easter 2027.
The programme aims to engage around 50 local girls in a supportive, girls-only environment that not only builds their physical fitness and footballing skills, but which will also enhance their self-confidence and help them build new friendships.
A £1,950 grant from the Banks Group’s Banks Community Fund has covered the project’s kit costs for the coming year, meaning that there are no financial barriers to participation for the young participants.
Each girl receives their own branded kit to help build the group’s identity and allow the girls to feel part of a team.
The Foundation will also be looking to help girls who want to take their football further to find pathways into local grassroots football clubs.
Founded in 2020, the Sporting Influence Foundation grew out of Harrogate firm Sporting Influence, which uses sport as a vehicle for developing social skills in schools across the town and also runs activity camps during the school holidays.
The Foundation aims to create opportunities for children and young people facing challenging circumstances and barriers to sport, that enable them to participate in physical activity and uses positive outdoor experiences to support healthier, happier lives.
Sporting Influence Foundation director Chris Doey says: “We believe every child deserves the chance to experience the joy, confidence and well-being that sport can bring and run a wide range of different activities to help provide these opportunities.
“The Girls’ Football Academy aims to improve confidence, physical literacy, resilience and teamwork in an inclusive, welcoming environment and to support players’ long-term engagement in football by building links with local clubs that they can go on to join if they want to.
“We’ve got 22 girls taking part in the summer term sessions, with more spaces opening up in the autumn, and we’ve seen an immediate impact on the skills that they’re developing and, more importantly, in the new friendships that they take with them off it.
“Giving them their own kit makes a real difference in building team identity and making everyone feel like they’re part of something special.
“The support we’ve had from the Banks Group for this project has removed the financial barrier to participation that might have stopped some of our players taking part and we’re really grateful for their support.”
Kate Culverhouse, community relations manager at the Banks Group, adds: “The Sporting Influence Foundation opens up so many opportunities for local young people that might not otherwise have come their way.
“This is a brilliant chance for local girls to give football a try while also making new friendships, developing their fitness and building their self-confidence.” For further information on the Sporting Influence Foundation’s Girls’ Football Academy, visit https://foundation.sportinginfluence.com
The Banks Group’s community funds are independently managed by Point North (formerly the County Durham Community Foundation) carrying out extensive environmental assessments. More information can be found at www.banksgroup.co.uk