THE women's Euro 2005 championships sparked a surge of interest in women's football in Herefordshire with three Euro-themed festivals taking place in the county.

The festivals, which took place in the north, centre and south of the county, provided a chance for pupils from year 3 through to year 11 to take part in football coaching followed by a competition for their particular age group.

"These festivals have been a massive success," said Alexis Lunn, girls' and women's officer for Herefordshire. "We've engaged more than 500 girls in just three days which, three or four years ago, would have been unheard of in the county.

"The girls who took part in our local festivals are aware that they are part of a bigger picture that could one day turn the opportunity of representing their country into a reality."

Following on from the tournament, the annual primary and secondary school summer football league matches are now underway. These will have a special significance as they will be watched by FA qualified coaches as part of the process of selecting the 2005/6 intake of girls to the Herefordshire FA Coaching Centre due to begin in early September.

All county schools and clubs will shortly be notified of trial dates and asked to nominate girls for the assessment sessions.