Club receives bank boost
FEMALE footballers in Galashiels have received a boost thanks to a leading high street bank.
Gala Fairydean Rovers Community Trust has secured funding from the Barclays Community Football Fund to help two of its female coaches obtain coaching qualifications from the SFA during 2024.
The fund offers grants, training and support resources to help reduce inequalities in the participation of football.
It is managed by Sported, the largest network of community sports clubs in the UK. It has supported more than 1,800 groups across Britain make football more accessible with 250,000 young people benefitting.
In recognition of the growing popularity of the women’s game, in 2023 Barclays established a special fund to get more women qualified to coach girls’ football at a grassroots level.
Two of Gala’s women’s coaches will obtain next level SFA licenses, developing both their coaching ability and the quality of training sessions the club can offer.
Girls’ coach Debi Ritchie said: “The support from Barclays is a welcome investment in our coaches, helping them positively develop both their own skills and those of our players. The numbers attending our girls and women’s training are increasing and we want this to continue in the months and years ahead.
“Last season we had a visit from Kim Little, one of the world’s best players, to inspire and encourage our players and we want women and girls of all ages and abilities to know they are welcome at GFR. As a community club we always want to provide opportunities to our volunteers and are always keen to hear from people who feel they have the time and commitment to help coach and encourage our teams. If anyone is interested in finding out more, or if you are interested in coming along to train with our women’s and girls’ sections please just contact the club as we’d love to have you along.
“Getting involved in coaching players is a very rewarding thing and if you have the time to spare we can offer you the opportunity and platform to shine.”
Fairydean Rovers offer women and girls the opportunity to train and play matches every Monday, with P1-P3 training taking place from 4.30-5.30pm, P4-P7 from 5-6pm and women’s training from 8-9.30pm each week.
Gala Fairydean Rovers Community Trust was launched in 2020 with the aim of developing football in the town and currently provides opportunities to play for more than 300 people across its academy, women’s, para and walking football sections.