More playing opportunities for female disabled footballers.

Thanks to an ACCESS grant from Sport Across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire FA has been able to start running a pilot 4v4 special schools girls league at the Powerleague, Stoke. The idea is to get more females playing football in a comfortable environment whilst realising the challenges of schools making 7-aside teams.  

The Staffordshire FA’s 4v4 Special Schools Girls League held 5 rounds of fixtures in which six teams have taken part, the league has produced an opportunity for approx 35 girls to play football in an environment where they feel more comfortable as there are no male intimidations, the league has provided a lot of enjoyment for the players, excitement for the spectators, plenty of quality football and goals galore!

The league was opened up to all special schools each fixture date to allow more girls to participate with Two Rivers, Middlehurst and Aynsley each entering 2 teams each.

After the positive response received from players, supporters and teachers alike we are planning to run the Girls 4v4 League annually which will hopefully increase the number of female participation in Disability Football, whether it’s refereeing, administering or playing and offering further opportunities on the FA’s Disability Player Pathway.

For anymore information please contact Jamie Leaning on 01785 256994, 07800619884 or jamie.leaning@staffordshirefa.com