GLOUCESTERSHIRE FA are looking hard at the prospect of turning their maiden female football epic into an even bigger and better annual occasion following the success of last weekend’s marathon ‘first’.

The all-day #WeCanPlay festival for adults and juniors attracted dozens of people to the GFA’s Oaklands Park 3G facility for a series of football-related sessions, involving active participation and spectating too.

Keen to capitalise on an upsurge of interest in the female game on the strength of England Women’s summer World Cup success, the GFA presented the platform for people of all ages to engage in small-sided games and discover more about the many coaching and other off-field opportunities available to volunteers and aspiring players in Gloucestershire and its surroundings.

County coach developer Steve Lilley ran a female coaching workshop and explained more about the FA Coaching Pathway and use of the FA 4-Corner Player Development Model. And there was the chance to take in a Gloucestershire County Women’s League game during the afternoon, Quedgeley Wanderers clinching a 2-0 victory over Bradley Stoke Ladies in an entertaining encounter on the slick artificial surface.

There were prizes up for grabs too, with Longwell Green Girls pipping Downend Flyers in an under-18 tournament, while one lucky individual winner claimed a signed England Women’s shirt after registering to join several other girls for an FA skills session.

GFA women and girls football development officer and festival organiser, Alexis Lunn-Gadd, said the day had given “much food for thought” when it came to the possibility of resurrecting the occasion next year.

She enthused: “The day went very well and was well supported by both players and spectators.

“Those that attended the coaching workshop thoroughly enjoyed it and found it extremely beneficial. In fact they are likely to get involved in our female coach mentoring programme moving forward on the back of it.

“If we are to do it again we may look at adjusting one or two things, to ensure even more people get the chance to participate, such as having it on a different day of the week, or by spreading the various elements of the event around the county so everyone can access something.

“The world’s our oyster with this type of thing and it’s lovely to see the girls’ game growing in the way it is. Hopefully that positive momentum can continue to snowball.”