Girls across Worcestershire will be provided with increased opportunities to play football after a new nationwide participation programme was announced.

The programme will see 200 SSE Wildcats Girls’ Football Centres opening throughout England this spring, each run in conjunction with the local County FA and their key partners. The move will provide girls aged from 5 to 11 with regular opportunities to play football and take part in organised sessions in a fun, engaging and safe environment. The project is an integral part of The FA’s objective to double girls’ football participation by 2020 and has been established in a joint partnership between The FA and SSE, supporters of girls’ football participation and sponsor of the SSE Women’s FA Cup.

Nichola Trigg Chief Executive at Worcestershire FA, said: “We’re delighted to have the support from The FA in setting up 4 girls’ mini-soccer centres across Worcestershire.

"Our aim is to double participation in the female game over the next four years and we see these centres as the first step to achieving this providing a pathway for girls to play and learn new skills in a fun and enjoyable environment. Worcestershire FA is committed to supporting the female game and building on the success we have achieved in the County with our Charter Standard Clubs who offer girls’ teams.”

Mark Wilcox Youth Director at Worcester City FC said, "As a Club it is a privilege to have been selected to participate in this national initiative and to be working alongside the Worcestershire FA to promote the female game, which we hope will develop new players and teams across the City.”

The Worcester Wildcats Girls’ Football Club, run in partnership with Worcester City FC, will take place on Sundays 10-11am at the University of Worcester. All sessions will be run by FA qualified coaches and are for girls of all abilities. For more information email wildcats@worcestershirefa.com or follows @worcswildcats on twitter.