FA SSE Wildcats session in Bognor Regis

Cats go Wild! Girls lapping up chance to get into football

by Steve Bone, courtesy of Bognor Regis Observer
SSE Wildcats centres continue after success in West Sussex area

The success of two SSE Wildcats girls’ football venues earlier this year has ensured the project will continue in Bognor Regis and Easebourne.

Predators FC (based in Bognor Regis) and Easebourne’s SSE Wildcats centres have both been granted extensions for delivery of the FA’s girls’ football initiative which is designed to inspire girls aged 5-11 to run until at least the end of the year.

These drop-in sessions are open to all girls attending primary schools and the sessions are running on Mondays 5pm-6pm at Longbrook Pavilion, Bognor (home of Predators FC) and the Easebourne sessions are being hosted by Easebourne Primary School near Midhurst on Wednesdays, also 5pm-6pm.

Both sessions are being run by South Coast Sports Coaching Ltd and cost just £3 per session with the funds raised being put back into girls’ football in the local area.

The aim of these sessions is to introduce girls to the game in a fun and supportive environment, as well as developing the existing skill sets of those girls already playing regularly.

South Coast Sports director Ali O’Boyle said: “Most local clubs have great support from parents to help with the running and training of their teams, but it is rare they have much, if any coaching experience.

“We want to supplement the existing training for those girls to develop them as players and take what they have learnt back to their teams.” 

There are a number of girls attending from both Felpham Colts and Bognor Regis Town FC. Both clubs are keen to welcome new players, with Felpham Colts seeking girls eligible for under-10s and under-11s. 

Recently Bognor Regis Town Girls’ FC celebrated the first anniversary since they were reformed after many years without a girls or ladies’ side at the club.

Mark Patterson, who started the team because his daughter wanted to play football, began with only 12 players ranging from under-8s to under-15s. One year on and the club now has 80+ girls registered with 5 teams registered in the Sussex Women’s and Girls’ League.

For further information on SSE Wildcats, please contact Development:

Development
T: 01903 766855
E: Development@SussexFA.com