Football coaching for girls

Drayton Grange entered the world of girls football in 2003 in line with the Charter Standard and formed its first ladies team in time for the 2006 season with a squad formed from the basis of its U16s girsl team. There are now approximately 45 players registered with the club playing in the NYAFL for girls and the Northants County Ladies league.

It is a development that comes with a  number of issues, as explained by Keith Spires. Keith siad: "Changing facilities, of course, are a must, as well as female first aiders and helpers and catering facilities for the home games. This puts extra cost on the club as we have to go to the Sports Park for these - apart from the ladies who play at Mayfield Park and walk to the Headlands."

"At the moment we have two girl's and one ladies team. The club is committed to back filling those age groups missing, at the rate of at least one per year. Immediate plans are to back fill the U12 age group and enter a team in a league next season, as well as maintaining the current teams at U13, U16 and ladies."

"The club is committed to increasing the oppurtunities for females to both play and coach football. We are always looking for both players and especially coaches, as they are the thing we are lacking at the moment. We would look, in say, five years time, to have teams at every age group from 11 through to ladies."