Football Fun Day: KES Girls Take to the Pitch

On Thursday 13th July, students at King Edward VII Academy from Years 7 to 10 took part in a girls-only football event with Jodie Hopkins, player and Team Captain at King's Lynn Town Ladies Football Club. 

The students were given one-on-one coaching by Jodie, and took part in fun team games, focused paired games and received guidance on individual shooting. The day ended with a football tournament in which the girls could put their newly learned skills to the test. 

Having played football since she was 4 years old, and having previously played for Norwich Ladies and Peterborough Northern Star, Jodie has a lifetime of football experience behind her and now has multiple roles within KLTFC, including player and Team Captain of King's Lynn Town Ladies Football Club. She is also an active committee member and has recently started working as Community Manager for Linnets In The Community programme, which aims to develop the community feel within the local and surrounding areas by acting as an extension of the club to engage with local people.

King Edward VII Academy aims to provide a broad range of opportunities for its students to excel and the school's partnership with King's Lynn Town Football Club has aspirations of providing many more opportunities for girls to take up the sport. Jodie explains why it is so important for girls to pursue sports: 

"It's incredibly important for various reasons, including physical and mental health! Promoting a healthy, active lifestyle sets girls up in the right way. Sport and exercise should be used as a break, it's me time away from everything else where nothing matters just what's in front of me. It's the mental break from education and work more than anything."

Jodie's advice to girls who are considering pursuing football as a hobby or as a career path is to give it a go, saying:

"DO IT!! You have nothing to lose, everyone has to start somewhere. It's about being true to yourself and dedicating everything you have to be the best version of yourself. You're an individual so do not compare yourself to others. Aim high and never settle for anything less than the best for you."

Jodie felt that the session was incredibly valuable for the students, saying:

"I don't think I can put it into words as it really was overwhelming to see so many girls taking part in this experience: first-time players, to girls that have lots of experience in playing. It was amazing to see everyone from Year 7 to Year 10 all working together throughout the day, smiling and having fun while playing football. It really is only the beginning for girl's football at KES! It was an honour to be asked to be involved in such a special programme and I look forward to continuing this next year."

Plans to provide more opportunities to encourage girls to take up and continue to play football are currently in the works. Jodie said:

"We have many more plans in the pipeline! We already run a girls-only football programme on a Tuesday evening but over the next few years, we are looking to mirror what we have for the boys and generate a girls-only football academy pathway from under 5 to under 23 and into the ladies team. There are lots of exciting plans up and coming. We will definitely be back to work with all the girls from KES again."

Girls looking to take part in football are encouraged to join the girls-only football programme, which runs every Tuesday from 4:30pm to 5:30pm at Lynnsport MUGA and is free to attend. To register your interest, please email community@kltown.co.uk.