Club on target to help promote football to more

Harrogate Railway was handed £1,500 of funding from the Grow the Game pot to create a new under 11s girls team and encourage more local people to get involved.

The funding will allow the club to buy all the equipment needed to run a team and ensure their coaches are trained to coach.

Together with the The Premier League, The FA fund the Grow the Game scheme with the initiative being delivered by sports charity the Football Foundation.

Caroline Hulme, Women and Girls Football Development Officer at West Riding County FA said: “It’s so inspiring to see a club like Railway developing girls football in Harrogate.

“It’s only early days for the new team, but I’m already really encouraged by what I’ve seen.

“The club has a great reputation, and we’re all confident that Amanda Ford, Ray Green and Ian Wade will create a fantastic atmosphere for the girls to enjoy their football.”

And Caroline added: “If you’re looking to get involved in a coaching capacity, this is a really great opportunity.

“The programme is designed to increase participation in our national game by helping clubs to meet the essential costs of starting new teams.”

Harrogate Railway Juniors, which run teams from under 6s to 17s, will now start the search for a new coach to qualify for the FA coaching badge, to support the new under 11s team.

A Football Foundation Ambassador and a keen footballer himself, TV’s Ben Shephard said: “This funding, provided by the Premier League and The FA, is excellent news for Harrogate Railway.

“They deserve real credit for working with the Football Foundation and West Riding County FA to help secure the grant.

“Grow the Game funding makes a tangible difference, it helps to increase participation in the sport.”