GIRLS and women’s football is rapidly growing in popularity as the recent exploits of England’s Lionesses have shown.

While most of our top female players come from “mixed football”, the appeal of playing with what can be predominantly a boys’ group is not that great for many girls.

Chineham Tigers have put this to the test by offering “girls only” football for the first time this season and have been astounded by the response, which began when they held a couple of taster sessions over the summer.

Coach Andy Hoiles said: “With very little publicity we had more than 50 girls attending the sessions between the ages of five and 14 and the coaches were amazed at the skills and positive attitude to learning shown by them all.”

Now that the new season is underway – and with almost 50 girls still attending every week – the club is keen to provide as many girls as possible with the opportunity to take part in organised football.

Basingstoke Town Ladies player Emily Martin, who is one of the lead coaches for the sessions, said: “The girls are fantastic and the coaches have just as much fun as they do.”

Weekly training sessions are held outdoors at Sherfield Park Community Centre on Saturday mornings, from 9.30am to 10.30am for girls in Year 5 and above.

The following day, at the same venue, a session for Years R, 1 and 2 is held from 10.15am to 11.15am, and for Years 3 and 4 from 11.15am to 12.15pm.

Currently, the emphasis is on learning skills and having fun, with the aim of forming teams that can play matches against other sides in the local area.

Girls can turn up on the day or, if you have any questions, Andy Hoiles can be contacted for more information by emailing andy.hoiles@hotmail.com. More information is also available via chinehamtigersfc.co.uk.