This coming Saturday (30th January) sees Newport IW Football Club welcome the Hampshire FA Centre of Excellence Girls to St George’s Park in two special exhibition matches promoting girls football on the Isle of Wight.
The Hampshire FACOE girls’ Under 11s and Under 13s play at St George’s Park against Newport’s boys’ Under 10s and Under 12s respectively, under the watchful eye of the 2013 England Woman’s Under 17s head coach, Lois Fidler.
Those taking part are on the FA England Girls’ pathway and are considered elite players for their age groups – and include Islanders Mia Ross and Freya Henry.
Newport’s Youth and Women’s Football Development Manager Stuart Ross said:
“The game against the Hampshire FA Centre of Excellence is the first time a football club on the Island has hosted such a fixture and we will be promoting this fixture within schools, in the hope girls come and watch these elite youth football players.
“It is going to be a very memorable day for the club and for youth and girls’ football on the Isle of Wight”.
Before the games, a mini-tournament will be open for girls on the island interested in getting into the game. Teams from Newport, Shanklin, Brading and Ryde Saints are all looking to create teams for next season. Please see schedule of events below.
Newport IW Football Club Chairman David Hayles added:
“This is going to be a very special occasion and a huge promotional boost for girls wanting to progress into professional football on the Isle of Wight.
“To host the Hampshire FA Centre of Excellence girls is a great privilege and we’re looking forward to welcoming them on Saturday. Every Island girl who wants the chance to get on that pathway should come and watch this weekend. Women’s football is growing at an astonishing rate and we’re right on the doorstep of professional coaching standards, it’s going to be a very memorable event for football on the Island”.
Schedule of Events:
Event: Girl’s Mini-Tournament hosted by the Isle of Wight Council Sports Development Unit
Time: 09:30- 10:30
Event: Two Hampshire Girls FA Centre of Excellence Matches against Newport IW boys Under 10s & Under 12s
Time: 11:30 kick off (both matches)
Adults will be required to pay a £1 entry fee on the gate; all children under the age of 16 can enter for free with a paying adult.
