The Leeds United Foundation have been approved to deliver over 60 SSE Wildcats Centres across West Yorkshire making it easier for young girls to access football training programmes.

The initiative was launched during the 2016/17 season with the club’s official charity having just two centres in Leeds. The success of the programme has meant that they have been able to grow the scheme over the past year and there will now be 64 centres delivered by the club’s official charity in Yorkshire.

The project aims to target girls between the ages of 5 to 11 and encourage them to engage more with football in a fun and friendly environment. The sessions allow the girls to meet new friends, stay active and also develop fundamental skills which may help them transition into a grassroots football team.

The FA’s National Women's Programme Manager, Caroline Hulme, said: “SSE Wildcats is an initiative that we started in the hope of inspiring girls to get involved in sport. We are delighted that numbers continue to grow, with more and more centres signing up across the country.

“Congratulations to Leeds United Foundation who have been approved to deliver 64 SSE Wildcats Centres across West Yorkshire this year, thank you for inspiring so many girls to play and good luck with your centre delivery.”

More than 200 centres were originally piloted across England with the scheme now being extended to more than 900 with around 26,000 participants across the country.

All of the sessions are delivered by qualified coaches on a weekly basis, usually after school hours or in the evening, and they provide a safe environment with great facilities where the girls can lay the foundations for a lifelong love of the sport. The sessions are ideal for those who already play football or for girls who want to try football for the first time.

The sessions are as little as £3 – if you would like more information and to find where the nearest SSE Wildcats Centre is to you then please contact Jess.Douthwaite@leedsunited.com.