A NATIONAL initiative to get more girls playing football has been so popular in Darlington that it is being being extended.

Darlington Spraire Lads and Lasses were selected by the Football Association for the scheme to double the number of girls from five to 12 playing the sport by 2020.

A new club was launched in Darlington called SSE Queen Elizabeth Spraire Lasses Wildcats, with training sessions taking place at the Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College playing fields on Tuesdays between 4.30pm and 5.30pm.

Although the sessions are football-based there are also opportunities to have fun games.

Initially, the scheme was intended to run from March for 16 weeks, but it has been so popular in Darlington that it is to be extended indefinitely.

The Spraire Lads were launched 35 years ago and the organisation now comprises 16 teams, including five girls' teams, involving up to 350 youngsters.

Founder member and coach Dave Scott is being supported with the Wildcats by Lauren Kent, Ella Brewster, Laura Summers and Lauren Naisbitt, who play for their QE College team and Spraire Lasses.

Dave said: "We were really proud to have been chosen by the FA to run the scheme in Darlington and the response has been really positive. We are seeing a real change in attitude over girls' football in the North-East. It was quite macho but those barriers are being broken down.

"The interest is clearly there so the plan is to just carry it on beyond the initial 16 weeks."

Anyone interested in getting involved should ring Dave Scott on 01325 253581, 07906 071481 or email djscott251@ntlworld.com