A FATHER who set up football training for his daughter is now coaching 45 girls and plans to hold a school Girls World Cup Football Event.
Paul Lane searched for a football club suitable for his daughter to join but it was impossible to find an all-girl team.
He said: “She was so keen.”
So, he set up a girls’ training group in 2020.
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Paul said: “We had five girls to start with, then, 25 and now we have 45 girls attending.”
Training takes place in Durrington on Thursdays (by the swimming pool) at 6pm and in the winter, training takes place at Larkhill.
Paul said: “This is all about giving girls a chance to play football and to enjoy it. They can come along, give it a go, and sign up if they want to. It is all about equality and opportunity.”
Paul’s daughter is now playing Academy football in Swindon Town.
He added: “My wife and I picked up an award for our efforts and we could have stopped at this point, but we wanted to give other girls that opportunity, so the next step was to involve schools.
"We have contacted many schools in the area to see whether they are interested in signing up for the Girls World Cup Football Event.”
The event takes place on Saturday, July 1, but the time has yet to be confirmed and Paul is looking for local businesses to sponsor the event.
Paul laughed. “Otherwise, I will have to pay all the costs so sponsorship would be great.”
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