A free weekly Girls' Football Academy is set to launch at Ashville Sports Centre, with sessions running during school term times until Easter 2027.
The programme, run by the Sporting Influence Foundation CIC, aims to give around 50 local girls the opportunity to improve their football skills, build confidence and make new friendships in a supportive girls-only environment.
A £1,950 grant from the Banks Group's Banks Community Fund has covered the cost of kit for the coming year, ensuring there are no financial barriers to taking part. Every participant will receive their own branded kit to help create a sense of belonging and team identity.
The Foundation will also support girls who want to take their football further by helping them find pathways into local grassroots clubs.
Founded in 2020, the Sporting Influence Foundation grew out of Harrogate-based Sporting Influence, which delivers sports programmes in schools and holiday activity camps.
The charity works to create opportunities for children and young people facing barriers to sport.
Sporting Influence Foundation director Chris Doey said:
"We believe every child deserves the chance to experience the joy, confidence and well-being that sport can bring and run a wide range of different activities to help provide these opportunities.
“The Girls’ Football Academy aims to improve confidence, physical literacy, resilience and teamwork in an inclusive, welcoming environment and to support players’ long-term engagement in football by building links with local clubs that they can go on to join if they want to."
He added:
“We’ve got 22 girls taking part in the summer term sessions, with more spaces opening up in the autumn, and we’ve seen an immediate impact on the skills that they’re developing and, more importantly, in the new friendships that they take with them off it.
“Giving them their own kit makes a real difference in building team identity and making everyone feel like they’re part of something special.
“The support we’ve had from the Banks Group for this project has removed the financial barrier to participation that might have stopped some of our players taking part and we’re really grateful for their support.”
Kate Culverhouse, community relations manager at the Banks Group, added:
“The Sporting Influence Foundation opens up so many opportunities for local young people that might not otherwise have come their way.
“This is a brilliant chance for local girls to give football a try while also making new friendships, developing their fitness and building their self-confidence.”
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