The new girls football sessions are open to girls aged eight to eleven and run by FA qualified coaches. No experience is necessary, just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn and have fun.

The sessions cost from just 50p per week and are being run at venues in Newport, Carisbrooke, Sandown, Ryde and East Cowes.

Tom Lyons, Sports Development Officer at the Isle of Wight Council said: “Options for girls who want to play football competitively out of school on the Island are fairly limited so we have worked with a number of partners including Sport England, the IOW Youth Football Association and youth football clubs to create opportunities for girls aged eight to eleven to try the sport. It is a great way to make friends and keep fit and healthy so why not give it a try.”

Anyone interested should register with the council’s sports unit before attending by calling 823818 or e-mailing sports.unit@iow.gov.uk.