More than 500 young female footballers enjoyed a series of Huddle Unite festivals, held across Wales in the last two weeks. The festivals were funded by FIFA, through one of the eight FIFA Women's Football Development programmes. Primary Schools girls aged 5-11 in Anglesey, Gwynedd, Flintshire, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wrexham and Denbighshire got the chance to enjoy learning basic football and fundamental movement skills together.
Born in September 2019, Huddle aims to introduce girls aged between four and 11 to football in a fun, relaxed, sociable and friendly way to ensure they have a positive first experience of football. Huddle is delivered by clubs and partners across Wales who want to grow the number of girls playing football in their local area. Girls can expect to make new friends, learn some football skills through fun games and build their confidence throughout the sessions. If girls want to progress onto a club team, the coaches at the sessions can direct them to their nearest team, but for those that are happy playing in Huddle sessions, they’re welcome to just play there.
Over 6,000 girls have enjoyed coming to Huddle sessions all across Wales since 2019. Most who had never played club football before. FAW Football Development Manager Bethan Wooley said: “It has been amazing to see so many girls enjoying football for the very first time this week. I’m so jealous of the opportunities the girls have across Wales now to get involved in football! It’s been incredible to be a part of these amazing festivals, and see how the game goes from strength to strength.”
FIFA will achieve its objectives by executing the five strategic pillars:
1. Develop and grow
FIFA will focus on developing the women’s game, both on and off the pitch, at all levels. FIFA will also support member associations in developing football locally, to retain and grow female participation and do all that is necessary to ensure that girls and women have clear pathways to play, administer and govern the game.
3. Communicate and commercialise
FIFA will broaden the exposure of women's football and increase its commercial value. To boost the visibility of women's football and unlock its potential at all levels, FIFA will support its member associations whilst maximising the commercialisation of its own competitions.