A FOOTBALL coach who has worked tirelessly to promote women’s football and her community has been awarded on the Queen’s birthday honours.

For the last 15 years Julie Scurfield has volunteered to pioneer and promote women’s and girl’s football in her community on Chester-le-Street, now she is being awarded the British Empire Medal.

When Ms Scurfield started she knew nothing about football, but she was determined to provide equal opportunities in the sport.

She set up a girls team from called the ‘Amazons’, achieving her FA level One Coaching qualification. The first ‘Amazons’ team played their first ever game in September 2005.

As club chairperson Ms Scurfield organises regular fundraising events and sorts out match fixtures for the 180 girls, who make up the 13 teams who now represent the Amazons.

Fundraising helps give access for girls to take up the opportunity to play football.

Raising thousands Ms Scurfield won a Northern Echo Local Hero Award in 2018 for her efforts.