Page 29 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.26 2021-22

Shooting Stars to return

The Electric Ireland Shooting Stars programme in partnership with the Irish FA Foundation is set to
kick off again at the end of this month.
The programme, which looks to create opportunities for girls aged four to 11 to fall in love with
football, will be staged at 16 venues across Northern Ireland from 28 March.
Sessions are due to be run in all 11 of the country’s council areas. It costs £25 per person to
participate in the eight-week programme.
Lauren Moore, a Girls’ Participation Officer with the Irish FA Foundation, emphasised that the
Electric Ireland-sponsored programme is delivered by qualified coaches in a fun, safe and friendly
environment.
She said: “Most importantly the sessions are focused on learning through play, making new
friends and developing the fundamentals for football.
“This is the second edition of the programme this year. The first tranche of Shooting Stars in
2022 attracted good numbers across 16 venues and we are confident the programme will be popular
once again.”
Lauren also pointed out that some special guests will be popping in to the sessions to encourage
the girls.
She explained: “The success of the Northern Ireland senior women’s team has helped to
generate a greater interest in football among young girls here. I am delighted to reveal that in the
build-up to the UEFA Women’s Euros in England this summer we will have guest appearances from
members of the squad at each centre.”
Shooting Stars can also benefit local clubs through coach mentoring/volunteering opportunities.
The programme is being rolled out in the following areas/venues: Antrim and Newtownabbey
- Antrim Forum; Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon – South Lake Leisure Centre, Craigavon; Belfast
(North) – Girdwood Community Hub; Belfast – Shankill Leisure Centre; Belfast (East) –
Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre; Belfast (West) – Brooke Activity Centre.
Also: Causeway Coast and Glens – Joey Dunlop Centre in Ballymoney and Ballysally
Community Centre; Derry and Strabane - Foyle Arena; Fermanagh and Omagh – Bawnacre Leisure
Centre, Irvinestown; Lisburn and Castlereagh – Moneyreagh Community Centre.
Mid and East Antrim – The Cliff, Larne; Mid Ulster – Backrow Sports Hall, Draperstown;
Newry, Mourne and Down - Down Leisure Centre and Newry Leisure Centre; North Down and Ards
- Bangor Aurora.
For more information visit www.irishfa.com/shootingstars.
(irishfa.com)
Kent’s first Women’s Futsal festival

On Saturday 12th March over 70 futsal players gathered for Kent’s firstever Women’s Futsal Festival.
Supported by the Kent FA and run by the Kent Women’s Futsal League, the festival brought together
league teams for an afternoon of competitive games at Canterbury Christchurch Sports Centre.
Teams from Faversham, Ramsgate, Canterbury, Hawkinge and Tankerton played 30 games with
Ramsgate overall winners. An awards ceremony was hosted by Old Gate Inn with Faversham
winning the league overall and sharing the Fair Play Award with Canterbury Old Bags. Player of the
Year awards went to Lisa Hallweger, Lauren Baker, Christina Swain, Lisa Sparkes, Kim Boswell and
Hayley T.
The Kent Women’s Futsal League plays weekly and currently has 6 teams with room for more
teams next season. For more information, visit the Kent Women’s Futsal League Facebook page.
There will be another Kent wide Futsal Festival on 30th July and more details will be published on
the Facebook page.
Natalie Curtis from the Kent FA said: "It’s fantastic how much the Women’s Futsal League has
grown in Kent and we are keen to see even more teams join. Futsal is such a fun and exciting game
and talented players can now play nationally in the Women’s Futsal National Series televised by BT
Sport."
(Source: www.kentfa.com)
Issue no. 26 - 17 March 2022 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk