Girls’ football growing in popularity at Park Way Primary School in Maidstone | Easter camps for boys and girls to be held at school

Girls’ football is on the up at Park Way Primary School in Maidstone.

Sessions held to mark International Women’s Day have made a lasting impact, with more girls keen to play.

Lily Padbury, a coach with Shooting Talent Sports, and mum Debbie Morris, a teaching assistant at the school, came up with the idea.

“We wanted to find a way to get every girl kicking a ball,” said Padbury.

“So we went through all the classes and got every girl down on the field playing football.

“We did seven or eight classes and there’s about 15 girls in each, and they loved it.

“Mum said she went back into school on the Monday and they were all wanting to go off and play football and find teams. It’s amazing.”

Girls’ football is increasing in popularity, reflected in Shooting Talent Sports’ after-school clubs at Park Way.

Padbury said: “There’s definitely been a lot more interest in girls’ football. Since last year we’ve seen a lot more girls join in at after-schools clubs, which has been incredible to see.”

Shooting Talent Sports, founded by former Maidstone United captain Blair Turgott, are holding football camps for boys and girls at Park Way during the Easter holidays.

Sessions take place from 9am-3pm on April 1-4 and April 8-11 and are for children aged five to 12. Cost is £15 per day or £50 for the week.

To book, call or text 07985 350366 or email shootingtalentsports@outlook.com