A FOOTBALL initiative aimed at encouraging girls aged five and 11 to play football in a safe and fun environment is being expanded in Herefordshire.

Last year Wildcats Girls’ Football Centre initiative ran in two centres across the county but this month six centres will run sessions for 16 weeks.

The centres will be open to girls of all abilities, regardless of football experience, with an emphasis on fun and developing fundamental skills through quality coaching.

Jessica Davies, who attended the Wildcats centre in Ledbury last year and now plays for Ledbury Swifts, said: “Wildcats has been great fun and allowed me to meet new people and learn a sport I didn’t do before.”

The centres will be based at: Futsal Futures – The Point 4, Royal National College for the Blind, Venns Lane, Hereford, (HR1 1DT) on Saturdays 9am to 10am starting April 21, cost £3; Leominster Town FC – Bridge Street Sports Centre, Bridge Street, Leominster (HR6 8EA) Sundays 3pm to 4pm starting April 29 cost£3; Ledbury Swifts FC – Ledbury Rugby Club, Ross Road, Ledbury (HR8 2LP) Wednesdays 5.30pm to 6.30pm starting April 11- cost £2; PACES – Hereford Sixth Form College, Folly Lane, Hereford (HR1 1LU) Mondays 5.15pm to 6.15pm starting April 23- cost £3; PACES (South Hereford) – Belmont Abbey, Ruckhall Lane, Belmont, Hereford (HR2 9RZ) Saturday 9.15am to 10.15am starting April 21- cost £3; Ross Juniors FC – Ross Sports Centre, Wilton Road, Ross-on-Wye (HR9 5JA) Thursdays 6pm to 7pm starting April 12- cost £2.

With the new centres Herefordshire FA are hoping to support local clubs with the creation of further new teams and further continue the development of girls’ football in Herefordshire.

For more information, or help getting in touch with your nearest centre please email Joe.Mathias@HerefordshireFA.com / 01432 342179.