A Sheffield sports group is giving Muslim girls the chance to take up football after receiving a grant from a local charitable trust.
Sistahood aims to engage 40 young women from the Shiregreen and Burngreave area of Sheffield in regular coached football activities at Concord Sports Centre.
The group has received £2,000 from football’s equality and inclusion campaign Kick it Out to increase Muslim girls’ participation in sport. The lessons will teach girls aged 14-21-years-old for six months.
Coaches from Sheffield Wednesday’s community programme will be delivering the training sessions and will give participants the opportunity to visit Hillsborough Stadium to watch the first team in action. At the match they can also have their photograph taken on the pitch during the Kick Racism Out week of action in October.
Danny Lynch at Kick it Out said: “By providing football coaching at Concord Sports Centre, we are removing barriers and helping to strengthen relationships in the community. These views on the community are extremely important to us.”
There is also the chance for two players to train for an FA Level 1 qualification in football coaching to provide them with increased employment opportunities.
Richard Apps, general manager at Concord Sports Centre, which is operated by Sheffield International Venues, said: “These weekly sessions at our indoor, Astroturf and 3G pitches will include passing, dribbling and tackling, giving the girls a basic understanding of football skills. This will hopefully encourage them to take up more sport and keep active.”
Sessions start on July 20 at Concord Sports Centre. For more information, call 0114 257 0053 or visit www.concordsportscentre.co.uk.
