SPORTS NEWS: Tigers focussing on girls' football

Axminster Town has one of the best youth sections in the county with teams from under six right through to under 16s. Its success was mirrored in the recent end of season's presentations which attracted an audience of 300 players, coaches, parents, and supporters.

But the girls are not being forgotten at Tiger Way. The club also has a burgeoning girls' section with a view to building a Ladies team that will one day re-enter the Devon Ladies League.

Kat Marlow, who played for the women's team and Rachel Burrough, who also co-ordinates the Tigers, events programme, have been coaching the *Weetabix Wildcats programme together every Sunday since March from 9.30am until 10.30 am and they now have 24 girls who attend training regularly.

Many of the girls are ready to play matches so they have organised some friendlies for this summer. They will be running the Weetabix Wildcats sessions until the end of June.

The plan for September is to run football for girls in Year 1 to Year 6 on Monday evenings from 5:30pm until 6:30pm until the end of April at the 3G pitch and an under 7s, under 9s and under 11s side. 

They will register an under 9s and an under 11s side with Devon FA but will not be entering a league at this juncture but organising regular matches with other local girls' teams. 

More coaches are required so training sessions can be arranged for girls aged between 12 and 14. They have quite a few teenagers training with the women on a Wednesday evening between 7pm and 8pm with numbers growing.

At the moment Rachel and Kat coach the Under 8s and Under 10s together. A sponsor has agreed to provide a new kit for the under 9s and under 11s for next season, but they would also like to get the girls training and tracksuit tops.

Those interested in becoming a sponsor, or parents who would like their daughters to join should, contact Rachel Burrough on 07749989583 or [email protected]

*Weetabix Wildcats is a Football Association Initiative, sponsored by Weetabix, designed to inspire girls aged between 5 and 11 to be involved in sport.