On Tuesday 13th September, over 330 P3 and P4 girls from 10 Primary Schools throughout Northfield, Hazlehead and Bucksburn clusters took part in a FIFA Live Your Girls Festival at Northfield Academy.

The Live Your Goals campaign targets and inspires more girls and women to play football. It was launched at the 2011 Women’s World Cup and is part of FIFA’s long-term commitment to support women’s football worldwide.

The objectives of the Live Your Goals campaign in Scotland are to:

•    Increase the number of girls/women playing football incrementally with a target of 20,000 players by 2020
•    Create new opportunities for girls to play football by increasing the number of festivals year on year
•    Increase the numbers of girls who move on to clubs from the festivals

The girls participated in a range of activities which varied from 4v4 games, to fun coaching stations working on dribbling, passing and control that were ran by AFCCT coaches and Volunteers. 

The girls were also treated to a visit from Aberdeen Ladies players who joined in with the activities and answered thought provoking questions from the girls on what inspired them to play football, what their training week involves and many more!

Jo Murphy Scottish FA Girls and Womens Club Development Officer for the North said “ We are delighted to be part of this campaign to encourage girls to participate in football.  For many girls, this was their first experience of football so it was fantastic to see so many girls smiling and thoroughly enjoying the activities on offer.  The aim now is to get more of these girls involved more regular in football by joining local clubs and participation centres and we hope that the festival has inspired some of these girls to take up the sport.  I would like to say a big thanks to AFFCT coaches and volunteers who made the day a memorable one for the girls involved.”

Steven Sweeney, Community Operations Manager for AFCCT said "AFCCT were delighted to support the FIFA Live Your Goals Festival earlier this week at Northfield Academy. We are committed to growing the girls game at grassroots level and supporting local Clubs develop their Coaches and players, whether male or female. Well done to all the girls and Schools who participated, and to Joanne Murphy from the Scottish FA North Region and all the partners for planning and delivering an excellent community event!"

For more information on girls football please email joanne.murphy@scottishfa.co.uk