Youth Council shortlisted for Best Participation Initiative

The club’s official charity has worked with South Bristol Sports Centre to enable the youth council to be recognised for their dedication to increasing participation in women and girls’ football throughout the city.

The three initiatives shortlisted are:

• Turn up and Play, Preston North End
• Future Fives, Bristol City
• Foundation of Light Girls Talent Pathway, Tyne and Wear

The Future Fives Youth Council programme is ran by three teenage girls, Mel, Lauren and Grace. The trio have worked together to design and plan projects that remove the barriers that they faced when playing football and enable girls to have access to free football sessions across the community, with over 250 participants currently involved.

The Youth Council group has already been involved in the Bristol clean up, hosted a girls football event, developed and delivered an anti-poverty free football camp, held a free disability holiday camp, developed a Mumball session and hosts a weekly youth disability workshop, all of which are making a substantial difference for those engaging.

This isn’t the first time this programme has been highlighted for its success. Earlier this year the group were presented with the Checkatrade South West Community Club of the Year award at the EFL awards ceremony at the Houses of Parliament.

The outright winner of the Best Participation Initiative will be announced today (Friday) at the 20th annual FA Women’s Football Awards.