The Lincolnshire FA kicked off a women’s only over 40’s walking football division for the first time in the county’s history on Sunday.
Seven teams, consisting of fifteen players each, will be playing in the league across the county all the way through to May
Cissy Radford, Lincolnshire FA and Girls football development officer said: “I think it’s really important that we give an opportunity to every woman and girl in this country that wants to play football.”
“My role is making sure there is an offer for women and girls who want to play football in the county. I’m trying to make the foundations already here bigger and better; it’s about building a pathway so girls can start playing from as young as five and continue for ,however ,long she wants to so there’s the option.”
Although a structured league hadn’t been established before, the popularity for walking football had been popular in Lincolnshire for a couple of years. Women had previously played in mixed leagues or at tournaments and festivals put on by the FA.
Julie Wilson, player for Lincoln City, said: “Myself and a few others had never played in conventional recreational football before, so the idea of committing to a recorded league seemed a bit daunting, but we just want to have fun and an opportunity to play more so having the league has been great for the club.”
Ms Radford commented: “We want to put the same amount of energy and emphasis into every age group and every interest in football, so getting this off the ground was a really big step for us.”
The Lincolnshire FA is keen to see more progression in the walking women’s football scene.
Ms Radford added: “We’ll take it steady for the first season, but I am ambitious, and I want this league to have several divisions over the next few years. I want to offer an over 60’s age group like they do in the men’s. I think there is an appetite for that”.
If you’re interested in playing within the Lincolnshire FA visit: Women’s Football – Lincolnshire FA
