Football team creating girls pathway to emulate boys side

Clydebank F.C. wants to give girls better access to football in order to emulate the way boys' clubs support their players

Claire Gow, manager of Clydebank F.C Ladies Team, says the academy has recognised that a lot of girls and women are taking up football in the local area and wants to increase access opportunities for young kids.

She said: "This is another strand in supporting the development of girls and women's football here.

"Football clubs are building pathways that coincide with the boys side to ensure that girls have access to the same support.

"When I was young and I played for Clydebank, it was great, I loved the camaraderie, but unfortunately there just wasn't access to the same services."

The team have been holding free sessions for local youngsters (Image: Supplied) The Ladies' side is currently hosting 22 girls, between the ages of four and 10, every Friday as part of free sessions to develop their skills in the sport.

The team are asking the community for support and help in their ambitions as clubs across the country are struggling to grapple with financial costs.

Claire added: "We want it kind of build something for the local area and then as a social worker and as someone who is a football coach, I'm really conscious about giving back to the community.

"This is where I live and it's somewhere where I want to see some sustainable changes because we know how difficult and challenging it is locally for just about anything now.

"We want to see if we can build something with the current cohort, we are always looking for more girls to come along.

"We are working to provide a safe space for girls to play football, to thrive and to have access to the same services."