Basingstoke Town hope the formation of an under-16s team is the latest step towards offering opportunities for women and girls of all ages to represent the club.
Town launched their newest squad this season with the assistance of a grant from the Trident Community Foundation (TCF), which previously helped secure kit for what was then an under-11s girls’ team in 2021.
The club now run two junior women’s sides in addition to the senior team, who play in Division 1 of the Hampshire County Women’s Football League, but vice-chair and treasurer Liz Lockie has her sights set on many more.
“Our long-term objective is to start a girls’ team at every age level,” she said. “We run camps during the holidays and more girls are definitely getting involved, especially at those younger age groups.
“What we’d like to do is set up a Wildcats session on Saturday mornings to pick up those seven and eight-year-old girls who are interested in playing, as it is probably easier to start from the bottom rather than trying to recruit when they are older.
“It’s what we do with the boys and we would love to replicate that.”
Lee Deadman, who coaches the under-16s, added: “Having grants available has allowed the girls to feel more of a team and part of this club.
“It has funded quality training equipment and a full training kit which provides the girls with a sense of team identity.”
Town’s latest cash boost from the TCF, which has awarded almost £450,000 to clubs across Steps 3 and 4 since being formed by Southern League partners, Pitching In, three years ago, has also helped grow the club’s provision for disabled footballers.
A football festival is on the agenda next summer for the ever-evolving numbers taking part in the sessions, which have proved a hit from the outset.
“We started off with one disability session and the response was really good, so we’ve set up another two,” Lockie added. “Those have been really successful and numbers are growing as there aren’t too many similar opportunities around.
“Some started as supporters watching the first team and now play football in these sessions, which both they and we are really proud of.
“The grants make a huge difference. It means we don’t have to pass the full financial burden on to parents and it makes the quality of our initiatives better, as we are not scrimping and saving.”
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