8thdec05G

Wednesday 07th December 2005

Fleet offer football to more girls

Gravesend and Northfleet Ladies Football Club is a FA charter standard club. The team was formed in 1998, and they currently have one women’s team catering for 14+years players of all experiences and backgrounds, (due to sponsorship deals and temporarily moving away from the Fleet they have previously been named Lashings Ladies FC and AEI Gravesend Ladies FC), writes Stephen McCartney.

After returning to the ladies section of Gravesend and Northfleet men’s Nationwide Conference side this season 2005/2006, the team are going from strength to strength.

And as precipitants of a Football Foundation award they can offer players quality coaching sessions provided by Level 3 coach Valter Antunes.

They were playing their football in the South East Counties Women’s Football league, in which they gained promotion for the last two seasons and entered the newly formed South East/London Alliance Premier Division this season, a regional division to which they are currently holding top places for the most of this season.

The team is the second highest league placed team in Kent, having an ambitious and professional set up whilst maintaining the importance of being a strong team unit and providing a good social programme.

"It is our future intentions to continue to build links within the community representing Gravesend and Northfleet," said Tina Martin.

"Further promotion of the first team and setting up a reserve and youth teams to build a solid base at the club and for its future’.

The club is currently linked to Charlton Athletic Ladies team, working in partnership and providing development and playing opportunities for players on loan at the club.

After a lot of hard work by this progressive club and support from local schools, Kent FA, Gravesend & Northfleet Football Club and other partners, the ladies team have some exciting news for 2006.

They are continuing to run coaching sessions, after school clubs and schools tournaments through their Girls Football Development Programme currently aimed at Girls 9 - 16 years old of all abilities.

But new for 2006, Gravesend & Northfleet Ladies Football Club are running a Girls only Football Club where all abilities are welcome to come along for our skills, matches, coaching, fun and fitness session at Swan Valley community School, Swanscombe. Every Monday from 16^th January 2006 (excludes school holidays) they are offering U11’s Primary schools after-school club 3.00pm - 4.00 pm, U12’ s 4.00 pm - 5.00 pm* - £1.00 per week , U14’s 4.00 pm - 5.00 pm* - £1.00 per week, U16’s 4.30 pm - 5.30 pm* - £1.00 per week

If your interested please come along, the session is outdoors, meet the coaches out on the Astroturf pitch, dressed suitably for all weather surface and weather, including shin pads and bring a drink.

*Parents must complete player details form on first session. First session is free.

Ultimately the club aims is to start Gravesend and Northfleet girls teams for summer 2006, but all are welcome to join in coaching sessions whether currently in a club or not. Qualified FA female coaches will run the sessions.

The club are keen to here from any adults that would like to help out and get involved in a variety of club roles including, coaches, managers, and administrative volunteers.

For further details on the team please use any of the following contact methods. Club website: www.intheteam.com/gravesendladiesfc

Club contact Tina ladies section: 07732 148011 - Club Email:
fleet.lfc@blueyonder.co.uk

When contacting the club, please mention www.kentishfootball.co.uk