Football isn’t just a game for boys.

That is the message from Ballard School in New Milton, which has received the FA Girls Football Partnership Award that aims to make football mainstream for girls in schools, as it is for boys. Through this initiative, the FA is working towards a goal of giving every girl equal access to the sport in school games lessons by 2024.

The FA partnership initiative includes extended training for staff at Ballard, training activities, and challenges. It also involves forging links with local clubs to encourage more Ballard girls into the sport, both in school and in the community.

This partnership work has been developed by school voluntary community officer Megan Smith, who played for Chelsea FC Women and in the USA, and PE teacher, Abbie Vernon.

Megan, who has also been a coach and worked in roles developing women’s and girls’ football, said, “Women’s football has grown enormously in recent years and it is so important that girls can play and enjoy the sport from a young age.”

Girls Football is now a major part of what Ballard Sport offers pupils, alongside the traditional sports of hockey and netball.