Women's Recreational Football Fund

Women's Recreational Football Fund

Apply now for up to £350 to support costs including kit and equipment, venue hire and qualified coaching

Applications are now open for funding to support the development of Women’s recreational football in Hertfordshire

Female football participation has grown rapidly in recent years, with more girls than ever taking up the game. There is however a generation of women that never had the chance to play in their childhoods, many of whom have never kicked a ball before.

Widespread media coverage of women’s football including the Lionesses run in the recent World Cup have generated huge interest, with many of this ‘missing generation’ of women now inspired to take up the game for the first time.

In order to help deliver opportunities for them to get involved we are pleased to announce our Women’s Recreational Football Fund which supports the development of women’s recreational football with funding to help suitable sessions become established.

We have received dedicated funding from The FA to support this area and are now seeking applications from clubs and organisations providing either Football or Futsal Sessions to Women on a recreational basis (not a team in a league).

Once your application has been approved you will be awarded up to £350 to support costs including kit and equipment, venue hire and qualified coaching.

Demand exceeding expectations

If you are considering starting a session and are unsure about getting sufficient numbers, you may be surprised at the level of interest you may receive. 

Football for Fathers, a group who have who have organised a number of highly successful men’s recreational sessions for several years, recently added a women-only session in Hitchin and found that demand exceeded expectations, telling us:

"We started our Women’s football session in November and have been blown-away by the interest. We now have 40 women from in-and-around Hitchin, aged between 27-54, all of whom are beginners. 

They’re enjoying learning the game within a supportive, friendly environment. The feedback from players has been exceptional with women relishing the opportunity to learn, challenge themselves".

We believe that there is scope for many more such sessions like this across the county and hope this funding this can kickstart provision in this growing area, so if you want to get involved please get in touch.

Find out more and apply

For more information and support in setting up your own session, please contact Gemma Smith, Football Development Officer by email or on 01462 650211.

Apply FOR FUNDING Here

We are delighted to say we have had an amazing response to this funding and applications are now closed. We look forward to seeing new sessions starting up across the county soon!