“The girls are free to play matches without any negativity or pressure” - We Are CITC: Greenfield Girls story | OneFootball

Each month, Manchester City’s charity, City in the Community (CITC) is spotlighting its work and programmes through the voices and stories of its participants across Greater Manchester.

This month, CITC are celebrating Greenfield Primary School girls football team, who have become the first decided girls only team at the Primary School.

CITC sat down with Ryan Selby, Assistant Head Teacher at the school, who has been overseeing the girls football provision.

In the interview Ryan discusses the process and importance of girls only football teams within Primary School settings.

How was a need for a girl’s club identified?

“We had one girl, who always played with the boys, who helped to drive this forward and who was constantly trying to get other girls involved, but with little success.

“This was the initial starting point, as well as seeing that more girls were starting to want to play at lunch time.

“The rise in women's football, with the Lionesses, and particularly in Manchester, was also a factor as more of the girls were beginning to watch football than before.

“Having the option of a girls' club seemed like a good idea, and we were delighted with how positively it was promoted.”

Why has it been important that the girls were given the opportunity to join an all-girls team?

“We've always had girls who have wanted to play football, but very few were confident enough to give it a go and challenge the boys, who often played for established local teams.

"Having their own team has given them a safe space to practise, experiment and make mistakes in a positive environment where everyone supports each other and wants to have fun. This has increased their confidence massively.

“Outside of school, many of the girls now play for football teams and are starting to see football as a long-term hobby and, for some, even a potential career.”

What do the sessions entail?

“The most positive part of the sessions is that the girls are free to play matches without any negativity or pressure.

“They practice basic skills, such as control and passing, and then they apply them to the matches. The difference between those matches now and their starting point is significant, and you can see their understanding of positioning developing.”

How has the team progressed since it first started?

“Firstly, the numbers have continued to grow, and this year we have more girls who actively play football in Years 5 and 6 than we do boys for the first time.

“We have reached the point where it is difficult to arrange matches against other local schools as they don't have the numbers of female players that we have. We're hopeful that we can use our example to help promote girls' teams throughout our local area and develop more competition in the future.

“In terms of play, the girls’ confidence has rocketed, and they absolutely love playing because their experience of playing together has been so positive and fun for them.

“Their skills and tactical knowledge have increased. We had girls join our mixed teams at tournaments, including the Primary Stars tournament, and we were also able to comfortably field two full girls’ teams at the girl’s tournament too.”

How has starting the team helped with the girls’ confidence?

“The girls join in more and enjoy it. That is what we always wanted: the main thing is for them to enjoy playing. Lots of our girls are already confident in terms of PE and movement as we have a large number of successful dancers who dance for a hugely successful local dance club.

“In school, this has translated into a successful school dance team, who regularly reach the National Finals. However, this confidence did not previously stretch to football, and now it does.

“It’s given them an additional source of friendship, fun and physical activity.”

How do you hope the girls will progress in the future?

“We hope that those who are already playing continue to play, and we know there has been success with this already as several of our former pupils have been playing for their secondary school teams and continue to play for their own teams at the weekend.

“For the girls in school, the plan is to transition younger pupils into the team as the older ones leave.

“We know that we have quite a few keen footballing girls in our Year 3 class as well, so there may be the opportunity to bring them into the matches earlier, depending on numbers, which will help to continue to grow the team for the next three years, at least.”

What has been the overall impact of the all-girls team on the school?

“There is a buzz around school when it is girls' football day. They are desperate to play and can't wait to get changed.

“Lots of the boys, and younger children in school, like to watch them playing, and the club has been warmly received by the older boys who are genuinely pleased their friends can play and are wanting to play with them more at lunch times too, making for a better match.

“New friendships have been formed over teams they support. We have received lots of praise and comments on the girls' team from within our wider community too, with people really pleased the girls have the option to play and develop.

“It has definitely changed the perception of both children and lots of adults in terms of who the game of football is for, and it's nice now to be able to talk about football in an inclusive manner because everyone is joining in.”

CITC deliver the Premier League Primary Stars programme in schools across Greater Manchester.

During these sessions, pupils and teachers take part in national curriculum PE lessons, extra-curricular activities, targeted interventions, educations workshops, social action projects, anti-discrimination sessions, competitions and teacher CPD events.

With thanks to the Premier League Charitable Fund for their support of City in the Community’s work.

Protect your home and support City in the Community—sign up for Blue Emergency Cover using code CITC20 to contribute to the campaign while enjoying reliable boiler insurance.

To find out more, visit: https://blueemergencycover.co.uk/

With thanks to Blue Emergency Cover for their support of the We Are CITC series.

City in the Community empowers healthier lives with city youth through football.

To find out more, visit www.mancity.com/citc or follow @citcmancity.