A programme designed to help more people enjoy Trafford’s sporting facilities is seeing Partington girls getting into football.
Free sessions, funded by GM Moving and Sport England, are being held twice weekly at Partington Sports Village. Training started last month and has attracted 16 girls aged six to 10 so far – with room for more to join in.
The multi-sport activation scheme will also involve activities on football pitches in Stretford and Old Trafford with a focus on pan-disability sport as well as provision for women and girls.
Freedom Football in Partington is leading the sessions on behalf of Trafford Council. The company also delivers PE sessions and after-school clubs in local schools, as well as running Partington and Carrington FC.
Matthew Sollitt, head coach, said:
“We have great facilities here in Partington thanks to the Council and Trafford Leisure, and we want to help create opportunities to use them.
“We’ve put the word out on social media and through local schools but there is room for more girls to join us. We have beginners and those with a bit more experience in our squad.
“Ultimately we want to progress the young players towards joining local clubs and playing league football. Altrincham FC, for example, has a great girls’ section but this way local children from Partington can get a taste for the sport in their own neighbourhood.”
Matthew is joined at Friday night’s session by Altrincham FC rising star, 16-year-old Tia Unwin, who is helping to coach the girls and is being supported towards a coaching qualification through the scheme. She is pictured here at a session.
The Multi-Sport Strategic Fund aims to ensure facilities are community-led and meet local needs, increase multi-sport participation opportunities, support wider health, wellbeing and social outcomes, and build local capability and capacity to sustain activity programmes.
Partington Sports Village’s two 3G pitches, operated by Trafford Leisure, remain open for use as the refurbishment of Partington’s leisure centre next door gets under way. A new community facility, move Partington, open to the public in 2028.
Cllr Eve Parker, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Leisure, Arts, Culture and Heritage, said:
“We are delighted that, with our partners, we are able to offer Partington girls an opportunity to get into football and develop their skills – and make the most of our great-quality 3G pitches.
“The fully-refurbished leisure centre will be a great place for the community to be active. In the meantime, we have the wider facilities of Partington Sports Village, which has recently benefited from refurbishment to the Cross Lane changing rooms and pavilion, the reopening of a local boxing club and a new BMX pump track.”
Cllr Tom Ross, Leader of Trafford Council, added:
“Our borough is renowned through the country and beyond for its footballing heritage with Manchester United, Altrincham and a fantastic network of grass roots clubs.
“This initiative to help young players get started, close to where they live, ties in with our Council priorities to offer the best start for children, healthy and active lives, and sport for all.”
To enquire about free football training places for girls aged six to 10, email Hello@freedomfootballdcuk.com