After the success of the Wildcats Girls Football Centres in 2017, Herefordshire FA are delighted to be supporting girls’ football in Herefordshire again with 6 new centres!

The FA and SSE have again teamed up to inspire girls aged 5-11 to play football as part of the Wildcats Girls’ Football Centre initiative. These centres will run for a minimum of 16 weeks providing girls with regular opportunities to play football and take part in organised sessions in a safe, fun and engaging environment.

From April, the centres will be open to girls of all abilities, regardless of football experience, with an emphasis on fun and developing fundamental skills through quality coaching. By keeping active, learning new things and making new friends, the centres create the foundations for a lifelong love of the beautiful game. Jessica Davies, who attended the Wildcats centre in Ledbury last year and now plays for Ledbury Swifts, said “Wildcats has been great fun and allowed me to meet new people and learn a sport I didn’t do before.” Pheobe Brace, another Ledbury Swifts U9 also commented “Wildcats is a fun and inspiring way to learn football. I have loved it from my very first training session

Following the successful pilot of the scheme in 2017, which involved 200 centres including 2 in Herefordshire, the programme has been expanded to over 800 centres. Herefordshire FA has supported applications from partners and clubs to run 6 new Wildcats Girls’ Football Centres spread out across the county. HFA Football Development Officer Joe Mathias commented:

“SSE Wildcats is an exciting and enjoyable way of giving girls the best possible introduction to football in their local area. Girls football has grown significantly in Herefordshire and these centres will provide even more girls with the chance to give it a go and see what they are missing out on!”

The new centres, which will open in April, are based at:

The 6 new centres have been located around the county to support the brilliant work being done by the existing girls’ football clubs and help create links between these and local schools. The sessions will take place on a weekly basis, either after school or at weekends, and will be coached by experienced qualified FA coaches.

Last season over 5,300 girls experienced football through a Wildcats Centre which resulted in a fantastic 24% growth in girl’s participation. Within Herefordshire, Ledbury Swifts were able to form two brand new teams as a result of the popularity of the SSE Wildcats centre at their club. Over 45 girls attended the two centres in Herefordshire with around half of these continuing to play football regularly.

“The wildcats programme gave the girls an opportunity to try football and it has been fantastic to see a new team created at Ledbury Swifts. The girls are enjoying their first season and have come so far on their football journey already” Wayne Fletcher, Ledbury Swifts U9 Girls Coach

Ledbury Swifts Wildcats: First Session Wednesday 11th April

Ross Jrs Wildcats: First Session Thursday 12th April

Futsal Futures Wildcats: First Session Saturday 21st April

PACES Belmont Wildcats: First Session Saturday 21st April

PACES North Hereford Wildcats: First Session Monday 23rd April

Leominster Town Wildcats: First Session Sunday 29th April