News

There’s no doubt that the 2019 Women’s World Cup has inspired a new generation of football fans up and down the country – from older women who have never played football before, to younger girls who want to emulate their heroes and learn to play like Lucy Bronze or Ellen White!

With over 200 Wildcats groups up and down the country, and more opening every week, girls aged 5-11 can now get their wish and learn to play and love football with their friends with this FA-driven initiative.

And with inspiration firmly in mind, Manchester FA has made the following superb pledge to Women in Football, encompassing all of its regional Wildcats groups:

#WhatIf every Wildcats player and coach in Manchester received a free ticket to attend the first ever FA WSL Manchester derby between Manchester City Women FC and Manchester United Women FC, thanks to Manchester FA?

That’s right – if you’re a coach at a Manchester FA Wildcats Girls’ Football Centre, then Manchester FA wants to invite you and your young team to join them at the Etihad on Saturday 7 September at 3pm, to see Manchester City Women and Manchester United Women kick off the 2019/20 FA Women’s Super League (FA WSL) season, at the first ever professional women’s Manchester derby!

For every adult ticket purchased, three girls can go free thanks to Manchester City – and each local Wildcats Centre has been contacted by Manchester FA directly with information of how to get their hands on tickets.

With 33 Wildcats centres in Greater Manchester, the city really is a hub for emerging football talent. And now Manchester City and Manchester United both have women’s teams in the FA WSL, there’s never been a better a time to get involved in encouraging young girls to play and enjoy their football.

Football Development Officer for Women & Girls at Manchester FA, Katherine Jones, explains: “The match in September presents a huge opportunity for us to really inspire players, coaches and volunteers from across the grassroots game and celebrate the fact we have two of the best women’s teams in the country, right here in Manchester.

"It will be a very special occasion as the game is being played at the Etihad Stadium in front of thousands of fans, and we cannot wait to show our youngest players just what is possible in the women’s game.

“As a county FA, we support players of all ages in the county in entering the grassroots game, from five year olds at Wildcats, all the way through to the women’s recreational leagues and walking football, for those who prefer a slower-paced game.

"There’s something for everyone in Manchester and we hope by encouraging everyone in Manchester to come along and watch this prestigious match, they will feel inspired to play, regardless of age or gender!”

And Women in Football’s CEO, Jane Purdon, agrees: “This is such a groundbreaking pledge by Manchester FA, in line with the groundbreaking match between Manchester City WFC and Manchester United WFC at the Etihad.

"Inspiring the next generation of girls and women to fall in love with football and get involved in the game is exactly what Women in Football's #WhatIf campaign is all about; and seeing this in action in such a tangible way is fantastic.”

Wildcats encourages girls to learn the basics of football, make new friends, develop skills and learn to love football from a young age. Weekly sessions either on weekends or after school means the girls who attend can fit playing in and around their other activities, and families are encouraged to take an active part in the clubs too.

There’ll be nowhere better for Wildcats teams to enjoy an afternoon of football than at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday 7 September. If you’d like to get your free tickets, then simply complete the ticket request form, sent to all centre leads, and take advantage of this fantastic #WhatIf pledge from Manchester FA.

Not a Wildcats centre but want to take advantage of Manchester City’s fantastic offer? If you’d like to watch Manchester City Women take on Manchester United Women, then head here to buy your tickets now.

And if you know a young girl aged 5-11, who would like to have their first taste of football and make new friends through fun weekly sessions, you can find your nearest Wildcats session here.

Share this article