08 Mar The Foundation supports #InternationalWomensDay!

Huddersfield Town Foundation continues to make strides in increasing female representation and inclusion through its work in the community.

On International Women’s Day, we would like to showcase the work that the Foundation conducts in the local community to ensure that female participation is continued:

Premier League Kicks

The Foundation has been delivering the Premier League Kicks Programme for five years. During that time – and with the support of key partners – the programme has been able to support young people living in Kirklees aged 8-18 to enhance physical and mental wellbeing, develop pro-social attitudes, and provide positive pathways.

Running weekly between 6-7pm on a Thursday at Leeds Road Sports Complex (HD2 1YY), the Foundation delivers a regular session to young people that identify as female, offering opportunities to participate in a sporting activity as well as providing competitions and educational workshops. So far this season, the Kicks programme has supported over 120 girls.

Twinning Project

The Foundation has also partnered with HMP New Hall to deliver the nationally recognised Twinning Project. Using football as a tool to promote and develop qualities of leadership, participants earn an FA Level 1 in Leadership Award. The aim of this accredited qualification is to support with their employability and ultimately reduce the risk of reoffending upon release. To date, 17 women have successfully completed this programme.

Women’s Football Academy

Furthermore, the Foundation is working in collaboration with Calderdale College and Huddersfield Town Women to provide 16-to-18-year-old female footballers with the opportunity to join a full-time dual football and education programme.

The football element of the programme is delivered by the Foundation, whilst based at the College’s campus in Halifax. Academy students will be coached by UEFA-qualified coaches in a professional environment for six-to-eight hours per week and attend their classroom-based studies for around 12 hours per week, depending on their chosen course.

The aim of the programme is to create more time for players to play and be coached, establish a pathway for females at the club, and increase the number of players who will be retained in the game and progress to senior women’s football.

Currently in its third year, they are already seeing some success stories, with one individual training with the Women’s side and another earning the opportunity to play in America, as well as getting some coaching work at the Foundation.

Active Through Football

Since our Active Through Football project’s inception in October, 120 women – aged 18 and above – from different backgrounds have benefitted from the activities that have been delivered.

Ladies-only sessions in Dewsbury have taken place covering a range of activities, including Ladies’ fitness, Ladies’ rec. football, and Active Coffee Mornings.

The sessions allow a safe space for ladies to be themselves in the privacy of other participants.

The Foundation also welcome girls to our action-packed football camps during school holidays and half-term breaks.

We will continue to support female representation in sport and if you would like to find out more information on the female-specific programmes that we deliver, please contact help@htafcfoundation.com for more.