Whistler Equal Access!

Posted at 4:18 pm on 22nd February, 2022

Flixton flies the flag for equal access!

Flixton Girls School (FGS) students have recently completed the first step on their journey to becoming Football Association (FA) qualified football referees. Our year 9 students volunteered to undertaken the FA ‘Whistlers’ course, an extra-curricular 1 hourly session, over six weeks which introduced them to officiating the game of football.

Students were able to access this course through our designation as a FA Girls Football Schools Partnership. This links with the Game On programme, which has also seen year 9 students engaged as activators, promoting #girlsfootballinschool.  Partnerships like this help to build future involvement in sports such as football and strives for equal access for girls in schools by 2024.

There has never been a more exciting time for Women’s football, with Trafford hosting the opening game of the Women’s Euros later this year, as well as free to view weekly games in the Women’s Super League this season. Girls now have female role models providing aspiration both as players but also top flight officials.

As well as learning about the laws of the game and signals for decisions during the course they developed their communication and leadership skills, setting themselves goals for the future and completing a self-analysis. Before completing the course, they were also required to gain some practical experience by supporting a local primary school girls league, as well as leading our year 7 during a PE lesson.

Ms Statham, Strategic Lead for the FA Girls Football Schools Partnership said, ‘I’ve been so impressed with the girl’s levels of maturity and commitment whilst undertaking this course. They completed it on top of their studies and own football playing commitments. They are fantastic role models to the younger students. I hope they will now go on to complete the next step of their officiating career and look forward to seeing them refereeing games locally.’

Olivia, Amelie and Maddison all commented how they are looking forward to using their skills as well as building upon what they have learnt through additional training with the FA Level 1 referee course.

Find out more HERE.

All three girls have really shown dedication and commitment to this programme as between them they already train across three nights and play competitive matches at weekends for their team which include Manchester United, Urmston Meadowside FC and Sale United FC.

Mrs Trussell, Headteacher said, ‘I’m really proud these students have shown commitment and dedication to this course and the sport of football. They are excellent role models and have shown brilliant levels of commitment, balancing their educational studies alongside their sporting aspirations and dedication to their training and playing schedules. Keep up all your great work!’

We wish all them all every success both in and out of school and look forward to hearing more about their refereeing over the coming years.