FOOTBALL enthusiasts eager to play a part in keeping the female sport on the front foot and flourishing in Gloucestershire are invited to a special and informative get-together in late October, writes Simon Parkinson.

Aware at the speed and growth of the girls’ and women’s game, Gloucestershire FA (GFA) and FA Women’s High Performance Centre based at University of Gloucestershire are running a conference to raise profile and provide and support networking opportunities for those involved, or looking to get involved, in any aspect of female football in the county.

The event, previously scheduled for July, takes place on Sunday, October 27 between 9.30am and 4.15pm at University of Gloucestershire, Oxstalls Sports Arena, Plock Court, Tewkesbury Road, Gloucester, GL2 9DW.

Tickets to attend are priced at just £10 per person which includes refreshments, lunch and workshop resources.

GFA women and girls’ football development officer Alexis Lunn-Gadd explained: “The conference is set up to highlight all the fantastic work going on in the female game locally, as well as providing people with local and national updates, ongoing support and CPD opportunities.

“Attendees will have the chance to attend two out of four workshops being delivered during the day, as well as hearing from our guest speaker Rachel Pavlou, the FA’s national women’s football development manager.

“The event is aimed at anyone involved, or looking to get involved, in the female game in Gloucestershire and is very much targeted at males and females in both mixed and female environments.

“There will be a networking lunch and an opportunity to interact with our football partners around various areas of the game.

“The Gloucestershire County Women’s League, Gloucester Girls League and Bristol Girls League are supporting this event and have subsequently agreed to not schedule fixtures on this date, to allow clubs and their coaches and volunteers the opportunity to attend.”

Anyone wishing to sign up – people are encouraged to do so early to avoid disappointment as places are limited - can visit https://eventspace.thefa.com/gloucestershirefa/participant/arrangement.aspx?id=273668 or email Abbie Sadler, at asadler3@glos.ac.uk or Alexis Lunn-Gadd, at alexis.lunn-gadd@gloucestershirefa.com