Youngsters inspired at Sunderland's girls' football festival

Stars from Sunderland AFC Ladies team helped to inspire the next generation of female players at the North-East's biggest girls' football festival at Farringdon Community Academy this week.
Beth Mead and Rachel Laws, who helped the Black Cats win the FA Women's Super League 2 title last year, were on hand to watch the action and participate in coaching sessions with the players taking part in the tournament.
"It's been great playing with the girls and the Foundation have organized a fantastic event which gives female players an opportunity to get involved, learn new skills and meet new people," said 19-year-old striker Mead. "It's nice to see them enjoying their football and hopefully events like this will help the women's game to grow by inspiring girls to develop and progress."The event, attended by nearly 100 players aged 6-16 years, also gave the opportunity for the youngsters to take part in a referee workshop with top female referee Lucy May as well as honing and developing their skills with coaches from the Foundation of Light, Sunderland AFC's registered charity.Each participant has been given information about local coaching sessions and clubs who are looking to recruit players, but not all of them want to play football so we've offered taster refereeing and coaching sessions too," said Helen Byrne, Foundation of Light's Lead Women's and Girls Football Development Officer. "It's important everyone is made aware of all the avenues available to them."The Premier League Girls Football programme was launched in October 2013 and aims to encourage females aged 14 and over to take part in regular football activities. Sport England have invested £2.4 million into The FA for the specific development of the female game which has allowed 87 Premier League and Football League clubs to deliver the programme.