TyneMet College is celebrating after it won a prestigious national award for its work to increase the number of women and girls in football.

It won the Education Sector Award in The FA Women’s and Girls’ Football Participation Awards which recognise the achievements of clubs, players, staff and volunteers at grassroots level.

England Lionesses’ defender Demi Stokes delivered the news in a video call to staff, after the formal awards ceremony was cancelled due to Covid-19.

The College was honoured for its work across North Tyneside and Newcastle, where its innovative programmes have increased the number of women and girls playing, volunteering and working in football.

It runs a Leadership Academy and a ‘Female Futures’ coaches pathway with  local grassroots clubs and schools.

Sports Development Officer, Hannah Marshall, said: “A lot of the success is down to our amazing FA Women and Girls Apprentice Bobbie-Lou Taylor, who has hugely exceeded her Apprentice targets and is a hardworking, passionate addition to our team.”

The team have established two successful Wildcats Centres for girls aged five to 11 – one with North Shields Juniors AFC and John Spence Community High School, and the other alongside Jesmond Park Academy and Heaton Hawks FC.

Over 850 girls got the chance to try out football at taster sessions in primary schools, and many then decided to continue with the game and joined the Wildcats sessions. And a further 94 girls joined sessions in local secondary schools, with 5 teenagers then being recruited as volunteers with the Wildcats.

The college also developed inclusive recreational football, including female learners within a pan disability football session, plus dedicated sessions for students from Health & Social Care and Hair & Beauty courses.

Sport Development Officer Hannah Marshall said: “We are all absolutely thrilled to win such a prestigious award! Being involved in the women and girls football development projects are always a hugely rewarding highlight of my working week, but it is amazing to receive national recognition for the hard work, passion and commitment from everyone involved in these projects and I’d like to say a huge thank you to our partners and friends at NSJAFC, Heaton Hawks FC, North Tyneside School Games, the Ouseburn Learning Trust and our apprentices Bobbie & Olivia.”