Lucy Bronze and Karen Bardsley took part in a historic football match against a team of 100 schoolgirls as The FA and SSE launched a new initiative to increase the number of girls playing football across the country.
The Manchester City and England duo were subject to one of their most testing fixtures yet, as a side of girls between the ages of 5-14 put a special England Women’s XI through their paces.
Bronze said: “Lining up against that number of girls is one of the most incredible sights I’ve ever experienced, not only as an England player but throughout my career!
“We want to inspire as many people as possible to play football and it was great to meet so many girls who love to play.
“I’m excited that through this new initiative more girls around the country will be given the chance to play the game.”
A new participation programme, which is currently open to clubs in The FA WSL and The FA Women’s Premier League, will provide funding for existing clubs who wish to create girls-only coaching sessions and build new competitive playing squads for girls between the ages of 5 and 14.
Significantly, the grant system will exclusively support girls-only football to help increase girls’ football provision across the country.
Thirty-four clubs have successfully applied for the programme which will run as a pilot for the remainder of 2016.
From Arsenal in FA WSL 1 through to Bradford City in the Women’s Premier League, the clubs taking part in the scheme stretch across the UK, demonstrating the wide demand for improved girls-only football provision.
The FA’s director of football participation and development, Kelly Simmons, said: “This is a fantastic initiative that will really make a difference in participation numbers.
“We know that our clubs provide an invaluable route to playing football for so many girls and this initiative will allow them to do even more good work in their communities.
“Female football participation is one of our key areas of focus at The FA and this will help to drive participation rates even further.”
SSE Girls United go through their tactics
Alan Young, SSE managing director of corporate affairs, added: “Giving so many schoolgirls the chance to take on their heroes in what turned out to be such a one-sided match epitomises the inclusive and fun nature of the SSE Women’s FA Cup.
“Everyone at SSE is exceptionally proud to sponsor such an important competition and very excited about how everything is progressing.
“We’ve started to see the plans we’re making with The FA to grow the women’s game take shape and the participation programme is another huge step in ensuring girls have the best possible chance to get involved in the beautiful game – one of the main reasons we entered this partnership.”
To find out more about the work SSE are doing in women’s football visit SSE.co.uk/girls-united
This year’s Final takes place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 14 May and thanks to The FA's partnership with SSE, all children will be able to attend for free.
Adult tickets are priced £15 and group bookings and charter standard discounts are also available.
Tickets for The Final are on sale now via TheFA.com/Tickets or by calling 0844 826 2010.
