We as a club are delighted to announce plans for our first Women’s Football Team. Following the success of our junior girls teams over the last two years, this is the next step to expand the female game at Pontefract Collieries.
We will begin by hosting two open training sessions on Thursday 25th November and 2nd December between 8-9pm for ladies of the age of 18 and over. With sessions being held at De Lacy High School, Knottingley.
Sessions are aimed at anyone interested in playing the game they love whether it is someone looking to return to football or have their first try or even looking to get fitter whilst having fun playing the beautiful game. We are not limiting to ability, these sessions are available to all skill levels and experience.
If you would like more information or would simply like to confirm your attendance please contact Head Coach Dave Hotchkiss, he can be reached via 07872 808206 or via email at [email protected].
We caught up with Dave following the news, see below for what he had to say on the introduction of Female Football at The Colls;
This is a huge step for the club, how pleased are you to be a part of this?
It is a huge step forward for the club, we first got girls teams at junior age groups in August 2020, so to develop on top of that with open age women’s football just 15 months later is testament to the club itself for embracing the women’s game, and recognising it’s fast growing popularity, and truly following its own ethos of football for all.
For me personally, to be spearheading the development of the female game at the Colls is something I’m incredibly proud of. Our successes on and off the pitch is already nothing short of phenomenal given the pandemic, and great credit has to go to the club who have trusted me to pull together a team of volunteers who are passionate about developing the female pathway here.
How big of an impact will this have on the club and the girls set up?
We want to grow our teams across all ages and ability levels, but it has to be about more than just football. If we can get women and girls playing with our club ethos, those that come through our doors will develop skills for the real world; friendships, teamwork and self confidence too.
If we establish a competitive women’s open age team, we have somewhere for our juniors to aspire to be when they get to 18+.
What are the goals and objectives of the women’s team?
Short term is to get as many down to training as possible, we want to make it a fun, social activity, for some it will be for fitness or to get out of the house, and for others it will be to be part of a team. If we can get to that point I would be looking to join the West Riding FA’s Womens Beginner’s League (WBL).
Long term, we have to be ambitious, the Colls are already a semi pro club in the men’s game, I’d like to think we could eventually establish the same for our women, whilst still providing opportunities for those who want to play football for fun and fitness too.