WORKINGTON Reds Girls Academy made history at the weekend as the first set of girls to play 11-a-side football from U13-16 in the North West Girls Super League.
On Sunday, both U14 and U16 Girls got underway in their debut season in the league, with both playing Burnley FC Women’s Juniors.
They are the first club at youth level to offer an elite 11v11 football environment to the female pathway for those as young as 12 and it is an ‘extremely proud’ moment for all involved.
Head of Girls Academy James Telford said: “This weekend is something we can all be proud of, it hasn’t been easy to get to this point, we faced a lot of challenge and reservation on the way.
“Previously we were told it couldn’t be done, but through determination and passion to support the local female pathway we saw local girls step onto the grass for the first time at 11-a-side -something their male counterparts have been able to do for years.
“I came into the role around 12 months ago and this has been a personal challenge for me, so to see it all fall into place was a very proud personal moment.”
This season sees the team lay the foundations with the future plans of Workington Reds AFC ladies pathway. Its Girls Academy foundation phase now mirrors the male side offering equal opportunities to both pathways.
They are offered two training sessions per week, with access to the club’s state of the art indoor soccer hub and a consistent and structured games programme with plans to visit some of its friends in the North East and Lancashire.
The U14s are captained by Grace Chennels and U16s captain is Olivia Beattie.
Workington Reds AFC Director Richard Lewthwaite added: “The club are delighted to be able to provide the opportunity for the best young female players locally to be able to challenge themselves in the North West Girls Super League against their counterparts from some of the North West's biggest clubs.
“It has proven through the boys equivalent over the past few seasons to be the best platform to develop these players and help them realise their full potential.
“It is a proud moment for us to see these girls playing under the famous Workington Reds brand and we look forward to working with and supporting them for many years to come.”
The club thanked its sponsors for their generosity this year - U14s – Flawed and U16s – West Lakes Demolition, GMB, Storm interior systems ltd, Fowler Bros and GMB.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here