Pikes in key role for girls (From Gazette & Herald)

Pikes in key role for girls

PICKERING Town look set to play a key role in the development of girls' football in the region following the announcement last week of a £50,000 grant from the Football Foundation to promote the sport in North Yorkshire.

The cash boost will go to the North Yorkshire Sports Partnership, in conjunction with Sport England's Active Sports Programme, to fund a regional development officer for girls' football over the next five years. The role will involve organising coaching and competitions, including setting up a North Yorkshire League.

As a recently-established FA community club, the Pikes are likely to be at the forefront of this development. Andy Clay, of the North Riding FA, who are involved with the scheme, said: "We are hoping that Pickering Town can be a cornerstone to help us achieve our objective of developing girls' football in the region."

Chris Freer, who manages the Pickering Town under-14 girls side, which won their league last season, welcomed the news. He said there was a growing interest in football from girls in Pickering and the surounding area and hoped that other age group teams could be set up at the club in the future.

The North Yorkshire Sports Partnership, which organised the recently-held Youth Games in Scarborough, is targeting over 1,000 new players in the region. Links will be developed with clubs and schools throughout North Yorkshire. Over the next five years, it plans to recruit 75 coaches and 100 volunteers to support the development of up to 27 girls' football clubs in the county.

Updated: 12:04 Thursday, May 22, 2003