On International Women’s Day we celebrate the progress that’s been made in developing female football in our county and recognise the work that still needs to be done to deliver equal access

Over the past decade, women’s and girls’ football has seen remarkable growth, with thousands stepping onto the pitch, breaking barriers, and redefining the game. From grassroots to the professional level, the sport continues to thrive, creating new opportunities and inspiring future generations and we're proud to celebrate the progress that has been made this International Women’s Day. 

In Hertfordshire, we’ve seen a 56% increase in players since 2021, with over 7,700 participants in the female game currently. We’re also proud to be home to a rich network of clubs and leagues, with six of the country’s 20 largest female teams based in the county. 

However, female teams still only account for 16% of the total in Hertfordshire, and women and girls still do not have equal opportunity to play in all schools and communities. Our job is not done, and we’re continuing to push for more opportunities, ensuring a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for women and girls to compete.  

Reaching Higher: FA Women's and Girls' Strategy 2024-2028

The FA’s new Women's and Girls' strategy celebrates the progress that has been made over the past four years, with record participation, rising viewership, and increasing investment. But it recognises that there is still much more that needs to be done to ensure equal opportunities. 

Building on the success of past initiatives, the focus is on four strategic priorities:
• Protecting the Uniqueness of the Women’s Game 
• Winning a Major Tournament 
• Building Robust, High-Quality Competition
• Delivering Equal Opportunities for All 

The five Golden Threads - Female Health and Well-Being, Safeguarding, Refereeing, Coaching, and Diversity and Inclusion - will feed into and be key considerations of each strategic priority. 
READ HERE

Building upon the national Let Girls Play campaign, which successfully lobbied for girls to be given equal access to football in schools, The FA’s new Made for this Game initiative looks to support their objectives over the next strategy cycle. This aims to continue the drive to unlock equal opportunities for women and girls, acknowledging the work that still needs to be done in showing that football is a sport where they belong. 

As a county we look to support new participation opportunities, and there are a number of ways for you to get involved in the women's and girls' game here in Hertfordshire. 

Participation Programmes 

England Football’s participation programmes are an excellent way to take a first step into the game. These sessions are run by providers across the County, with a diverse range of opportunities providing something for everyone! 

• Wildcats – Aimed at girls aged between 5-11, these sessions provide non-competitive football for girls who want to give it a go for the very first time or want to play with others their own age. Most importantly, Wildcats puts an emphasis on having fun and meeting new people.
• Squad Girls – Aimed at girls aged between 12-14, these sessions offer a fun, non-competitive way to play football. Designed to help develop skills and build confidence, Squad Girls is perfect for those looking to transition from Wildcats, or who want to start playing for the first time.  
• Just Play – These opportunities are for men, women and for those aged 16+ of all abilities. You may have never kicked a ball before or it might have been a while ago, whatever your reason, just book online and turn up for a game. 
• Comets – This is a recreational, pan-disability football programme for disabled boys and girls aged between 5 and 11. Pan-disability is the largest format of disability football, which sees players with a broad range of impairments and health conditions play together. 

Become a Provider

If you are interested in providing sessions in Hertfordshire and would like any further advice or information, please get in touch with us and we'll be happy to help. For more on what is involved with providing sessions and the support you would receive in terms of funding and resources, please download the guidance document below.GUIDANCE DOCUMENT 

If you have any further questions about becoming an England Football programme provider in Hertfordshire, please contact Beth Dawes, 01462 650224.

Find Football Tool

You can use England Football’s Find Football Tool to discover Grassroots Clubs and Participation Programmes near to you offering opportunities for Female participation. 

Big Football Day 

Big Football Day is where clubs are encouraged to put on a fun day to offer new participation opportunities and bring the local community together for football taster sessions, match screenings and festivities all alongside celebrations of the Women’s Euros 2025. 

Clubs and providers can deliver their event any date and time during July 2025. It is recommended that events be run on England match days to bring excitement but it’s not mandatory. More information on how your club can get involved and support this initiative will be released in April.

We’re supporting the following programmes in order to provide a chance for those involved in the women's and girls' game to learn, network, and feel confident about getting involved.  

Equal Game 

This is a free, face-to-face workshop aimed at clubs looking to grow their women's and girls' section, providing practical advice to help you create the right environment to increase female participation. 

When: Monday 9th June
Where: University of Hertfordshire
sign up 

Stepping Over The Sidelines

This is an introductory session for women and girls who are looking to take their first steps into coaching. Delivered face-to-face as a two-part workshop, it aims to break down barriers and highlight skills and attributes that are transferable to coaching.

You must be aged 16 and over, with less than one year’s experience coaching. If you’d like to take part, please fill out the expression of interest form. 
Register your Interest

Early Access Refereeing Courses 

If you are interested in expanding your involvement in football, learning how to be a referee is a valuable skill and can create more opportunities. The FA Referee Course is designed to equip new referees with the key skills and knowledge they need to referee grassroots football matches safely and effectively. It is for learners aged 14 and over who want to referee mini soccer, 9v9 or 11v11 football. 

We look to provide early access for women and girls who want to secure their place on our upcoming courses. If you'd like to take part please fill out our expression of interest form. 
register your interest

If you’d like further support in growing opportunities for women and girls, please contact Chloe Wozniak, 01462 650211