With almost three million active female players, football is the biggest women’s team sport in England – but there is plenty of room for more people to get involved.
And there are so many ways for girls and women to join in, no matter what your age or ability level, whether you just want to have a kickabout with your mates or whether you want to be the next Steph Houghton.
Do you have a pair of boots and are ready to go? Then find a club near you!
How else can you get involved?
1. Wildcats age 5-11
Wildcats football centres offer girls aged 5-11 a chance to try football for the first time and provide regular opportunities to play. Sessions take place on a weekly basis, either after school or at weekends, at over 1,250 Wildcats centres across the country and are focused on helping girls make friends, have fun and be active through football.
2. Mini Soccer Teams age 7-10
Mini-Soccer is the appropriate introduction to playing competitive football for young girls. Girls in club teams from U7– U10 do not play in leagues, they play 5v5 or 7v7 small sided football, with lots of touches of the ball.
3. Youth Teams age 11-16
Girls get the chance to play weekly competitive football in their local club, from 7v7, 9v9 to 11v11
4. The FA Snickers Just Play age 16+
The FA Snickers Just Play programme is recreational football at its best – it’s about turning up for exercise and a bit of fun. Women's sessions are happening all over the country in the following categories:
- Soccercise 16+:
Football-themed workouts for girls and women. Soccercise combines a variety of fitness exercises with a football. It can be tailored for all levels of fitness. It can help introduce you to football, re-familiarise those who haven’t played for a while, form part of a pre-season training programme, become part of a pre-match warm-up or just be used as an alternative way to keep fit.
- 5s 16+:
Played on a smaller pitch, it’s physically challenging - this small sided version of the game is becoming more and more popular for women - whether novices or veterans, there is a session for you.
Our newest format and becoming very popular with both novices and veterans alike. Walking football can help women lose weight, help prevent loneliness and positively affect overall mental and physical health
5. Women's 11 v 11 Teams 16+
The football most people know. There are over 1,800 adult women teams playing weekly competitive football in Clubs, Colleges and Universities.
England Talent Pathway
The FA Girls’ England Talent Pathway allows female players access to appropriate levels of coaching and support, enabling the programme to reach our ultimate goal: producing elite English female players to compete on the world stage.
Organising a football festival?
Then why not download our football festival toolkit?
Kick-off your career
Football can also provide you with a fantastic career away from the pitch.
If you need further support please do not hesitate to contact your local County FA as each county has a designated lead officer on women’s football.
