NORTHALLERTON Town JFC are on the hunt for the next generation of female players after receiving a £4,500 Grow the Game grant.

The scheme, which is funded by The Football Association and delivered by the Football Foundation, will enable Northallerton Town to create three new girls teams, providing a significant boost to female participatory opportunities in the area.

James Lofthouse, chairman and head of girls coaching at Northallerton Town JFC, said: “This is something I am very passionate about having coached many girls teams in the past with the FA and at previous clubs.

"I am lucky enough to be in a situation where I can use my business and the SSE Wildcats initiative to develop the girls only sessions in Northallerton which have grown over the past 18-months with 50-plus girls training weekly from three up to 15-year-olds.

"With this grant from the FA and the Football Foundation it will allow us to put the foundations in to develop a sustainable girls only section at the club.

"This season we have an under 11s, under 13s and under 15s girls-only teams playing in the City of York Girls League”

The Grow the Game scheme sees grants of £1,500 awarded to community football clubs wishing to create new teams, especially amongst under-represented groups.

This year, funding was made available specifically for clubs looking to create new female and disability football teams.