Northumberland FA is delighted to welcome onboard our new Weetabix Wildcats and Squad Girls providers!

Over recent months, local grassroots clubs and organisations have had the opportunity to apply and become an FA recreational programme provider for one of three programmes; Weetabix Wildcats, Squad Girls and Snickers Just Play.

The application process which opened in November 2022, encouraged clubs to sustain and improve their provision in order to meet criteria set by The FA for all potential new providers. The transparent criteria in becoming a new FA recreational provider includes; compliance, resource management, female football club vision and a clear understanding of how they wish to benefit from delivering one of said programmes. Successful clubs will now receive in-person and online support, funding, marketing assets and have the opportunity to join a growing family of providers who access the countless benefits of becoming an FA recreational provider.

Weetabix Wildcats

1.Newbiggin Hall FC

2.Whitley Bay Juniors

3.Northumberland County Council in partnership with AFC Newbiggin

Squad Girls

1.Berwick Rangers Community Foundation

2.Wallsend Boys Club

3.Westerhope United

4.Hat-Trick

5.North Shields Juniors

6.Whitley Bay Juniors

These new providers will access and complete training which will support them in advance of delivering each programme. Each new provider will receive £900 per programme over a two year period, which will see clubs deliver a minimum of 16 per weeks per year, over a two years. Northumberland FA boasts a strong cohort of recreational programme providers who continue to deliver FA recreational programmes well beyond the 2 year period and continue to demonstrate creativity in retaining and recruiting new participants to their sessions.

John from Wideopen, who are current Squad Girls providers said " Offering Squad Girls to the community is of utmost importance to our club. We strongly believe in the power of football to empower and inspire young girls. By providing them with a supportive and inclusive environment, we aim to break down barriers and challenge stereotypes associated with female participation in sports."

Northumberland FA has also been proactive in offering further support in various ways to compliment national support from The FA. The support offered from a County FA level includes; Wildcats CPD, online meetings, Wildcats session library, Wildcats session visits and Wildcats festivals to name a few.

Some clubs have already shown an interest for the 2023/24 application window – if your club is interested, we encourage them to contact Lloyd Miller (Football Development Officer – Women and Girls) directly lloyd.miller@northumberlandfa.com.

Find your nearest provider here - Weetabix Wildcats - Northumberland FA

                                                   - Squad Girls - Northumberland FA