UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 captivated a nation this summer, with the tournament attracting record breaking crowds and unprecedented media coverage.

The Lionesses’ success on the pitch will no doubt inspire more women and girls to play football. But equally as important, now is the time to encourage young females to continue the growth of the girls’ game off the pitch and act as community role models for the next generation of Lionesses.

As part of the Rotherham UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 Legacy Programme, which aims to develop more leadership opportunities to help women and girls grow the game, the Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA has partnered with Active Leaders Ltd to deliver an Active Leader Football Programme specifically for young female leaders of the future.

The programme, which is for girls aged 14 to 16, kicked off in Rotherham last month, with ten students from Maltby Academy and Wath Academy signing up for the programme.

The four-day course provided participants with valuable leadership skills to support and develop girls’ football in their local communities, such as CPR and first aid awareness, basic safeguarding and risk management, preparation, planning, communication, marketing, budgeting, hands-on delivery and CV development. 

The aspiring leaders will now get the chance to put theory into practice with a six-week placement at one of four local football providers: Rotherham United Community Sports Trust (Weetabix Wildcats), Wath Academy (Weetabix Wildcats), Wath Stars JFC or Bramley Sunnyside JFC.

Molly Johnson, Youth Football Development Officer at the Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA, believes the programme will connect young role models with local football providers and act as the perfect starting point for girls to get involved in the beautiful game.

Molly said: “Football providers are continuously looking for volunteers to support them in various roles, so the Active Leader Football Programme for Girls is a great way for us to link young role models with providers to support them with the expected influx of new players that have been inspired by the Lionesses.

“Once the girls have completed their six-week placement, their journey into football doesn’t have to stop there. We want them to stay involved in the game, whether that’s in coaching, refereeing, volunteering or even playing.”

For more information on the Active Leader Football Programme for Girls, or to express your interest in future programmes, contact Molly Johnson at Molly.Johnson@SheffieldFA.com