Join the boom
Thursday, 19 August 2004.
Women's football has enjoyed a massive boom in the past decade but The FA is spearheading efforts to increase participation even further.
Around 1.4m girls aged 16 or under play football of some kind and there are now 100,000 officially registered players throughout the country.
With more than 7,000 teams always on the look-out for new players there are countless opportunities for girls and women to get involved in the sport.
As Bev Ward, marketing manager for women's football at The FA, explains: "There is now massive interest in women's football and more and more girls are getting involved.
"There are opportunities available for everyone - whatever their skill level or commitment and the clubs around the country are really happy to get them on board.
"What we need to do is to make sure that girls who are interested in the sport have the information they need to join a club.
"Some girls might be the first female in their family to play football and maybe they do not know where the local club is and how to get in contact.
"But we have specialist women's football development officers in every county and they are developing the links between the clubs and schools all the time. Anybody that wants to get involved can contact them and find out exactly what is the best route for them," Ward adds.
"Women's football is now the most popular sport for females, taking over from netball, and we hope that the figures will keep going up and up."
A massive boost to women's football in this country will come next summer when England hosts the European Championships.
And Ward believes the tournament will generate even more interest and encourage more girls to get involved.
"Having a major tournament like that will show-case what women's football is all about and show that it is a great sport to play," she explains.
"It's important as well that the media recognises women's football more and more and having the best European players over here should really help."
GET INVOLVED - YOUR GUIDE
The FA is responsible for the governance and development of football in England, and core to its work is the belief that everyone should have the chance to be involved in the national game.
In 2001, The FA launched a five-year Football Development Strategy to develop our national game, seeking to shape and develop innovative programmes to support and develop young people, teachers, coaches, leaders and parents.
The FA also recognises that sedentary lifestyles and obesity are a problem for this country, and is committed to working with the government and other partners to promote healthy lifestyles, and to use the power of football to achieve this wherever possible.
GET INVOLVED - Your guide on how to play your part