TIGHS kicks off new FA partnership in Girls’ Football Week
We helped to kick off a new partnership with the FA during Girls’ Football Week (6-12 November).
TIGHS pupils in Year 7 and 8 pupils had the chance to improve their dribbling, passing and shooting during lunchtime football training sessions, before stepping out onto the pitch to aim for the back of the net in mini tournaments.
Our Deputy Director of Learning Penny Robb, who also teaches PE, commented:
“Our pupils were really enthusiastic about getting involved in our lunchtime ‘drop in and play’ sessions during Girls’ Football Week. Although we already have a school football team, through the FA’s programme we will equip our pupils with the sport leadership skills to drive our team forward and build on its success. There’s also a chance for pupils to take on roles off the pitch to help manage and lead the team.”
TIGHS Year 7 student Shamaila Shahzad added:
“The tournament was fantastic fun. It’s really good that we were able to take part in Girls’ Football Week and show that girls can play competitive sports at all levels.”
The Girls’ Football Week activities helped to launch a unique partnership between the FA and Star Academies, the multi-academy trust to which TIGHS belongs.
Star Academies has recently been designated as an FA Girls’ Area Hub, joining a network of organisations that support and deliver girls’ football across England. As a hot spot for growth and development of girls’ football, the Trust Area Hub commits to working with the FA to change perceptions and social barriers to participation and to create a strong, inclusive and engaging programme of activities.
Kate Hebden, the Trust’s Head of Pupil Leadership Specialism, commented:
“As the first multi-academy trust to become an FA Girls’ Area Hub, Star Academies schools will have access to programmes developed by the FA to encourage more girls to get involved in the beautiful game, and not only as players.
“We aim to empower our female pupils to get involved in the sport both on and off the pitch, developing leadership skills and character traits that will stay with them for life. The FA’s aim through the Girls’ Area Hub programme is also to inspire more young women to consider careers in football.
“Staff in the schools taking part in the programme will also have access to FA accredited CPD courses leading to qualifications in sports coaching. The Trust will also be in a position to help the FA develop best practice for extending the programme.”
The FA Girls’ Area Hub programme, delivered in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, takes learning opportunities through football way beyond the pitch.
The primary school programme, Active Literacy, aims to engage girls aged five to seven years in creative play and boost their literacy skills through football themed activities.
In secondary schools, the Game of Our Own programme empowers girls in Years 7 to 9 to set up and run their own football club as an after school activity. Aside from the players, many leadership roles are available to pupils including coach and event manager. Funding is also available to support pupils in the running of their clubs. In addition, teachers deliver character development sessions through their core curriculum PE that help pupils’ gain vital life skills such as motivating others, communication, empathy and leadership.
Added By: Tauheedul Girls | Date Added: 13th Nov 2017 | Posted In: Latest News