After the success of women’s over-35s sessions Cumberland FA is to launch Just Play centres across the county.
Since the first Cumbrian session in March last year, more than 100 women have taken part so Just Play Centres will be launched in Carlisle, Penrith and Workington.
They can now be searched and booked on The FA’s central system increasing the visibility and accessibility for women to book on a local session that suits them.
To ensure the sessions for women aged 35-plus are sustainable and to grow the game at this age group, increasing the number of venues and dates, the sessions will be supported by both Cumberland FA and volunteers across Cumberland.
Helen Aitchison, Cumberland FA’s women and girls football development officer, said: “We’re delighted that Allerdale Wildcats will lead on the monthly west sessions with participating volunteers supporting the Carlisle sessions going forward to enable us to confirm plenty of dates from now until the summer.
“Without the support of the participants to become volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to support a large number of dates giving more women the opportunity to either come back to the game or try it for the first time.
“Many women aged 35-plus consider themselves as the ‘lost’ generation where playing opportunities growing up were few and far between, so we’re determined to encourage as many women as possible to come along and have a go.
“We aim to build a network of interested women which will grow this area of the game moving forward.
“The fact that more than 100 women have so far registered and attended at least one Turn Up and Play session shows there is a demand for this format of football.”
Women aged 35 and over are invited to come along and play – with any experience welcome.
The events are played in a friendly atmosphere as we aim to increase the number of playing opportunities for this age group.
There has been some fantastic feedback from the Turn Up and Play sessions with many women returning and traveling across the county to get involved.
Confirmed dates in Workington, Carlisle and Penrith are:
- Sunday April 14, 2pm to 3.30pm, Lakes College 3G, Lillyhall, near Workington
- Sunday April 21, 10.30am to noon at Penrith AFC
- Sunday April 28, 3pm to 4.30pm, Harraby 3G, Carlisle
- Sunday May12, 3pm to 4.30pm, Harraby 3G, Carlisle
- Sunday May 19, 10am to 11.30am, Energy Coast UTC, Lillyhall, near Workington, CA14 2AL
- Sunday June 9, 2pm to 3.30pm, Energy Coast UTC, Lillyhall, near Workington, CA14 2AL
- Sunday June 23, 3pm to 4.30pm, Harraby 3G, Carlisle
- Sunday July 14, 10am to 11am, Energy Coast UTC, Lillyhall, near Workington, CA14 2AL
- Sunday July 21, 3pm to 4. 30pm, Harraby 3G, Carlisle
Westmorland FA are also running monthly sessions at Dallam School 3G from noon to 2pm on the following dates:
- Sunday April 7
- Sunday May 5
- Sunday June 2
- Sunday July 7
- Sunday August 4
