The recent Women's Euro 2022 final was a monumental occasion for the Lionesses but also for Girls and Women’s football nationally. As a club who has run sessions for girls for many years, it gives us great pride to see how inspired young girls are to get involved with football.

We spoke to Clare Jenkins who is a coach for Cambourne Town FC and who is passionate about football along with her daughter Mia, with both of them progressing within the game. Clare explains how they both got involved with the club and how their journey is continuing;

“My daughter Mia plays for U15 Girls team and I have been one of the team's coaches for 4 years. I started when her team needed to split (previously had 2 age groups playing together but got too big) so I stepped up and did my FA coaching level 1, despite not knowing much about football, to ensure she could continue doing something she loved.
She, like the Lionesses, is really passionate about ensuring other girls have the opportunity to play football and has been helping with both U9 Girls teams this year. She has also completed her referee training course this year and will be refereeing at the Cambourne Town tournament in September.

At Cambourne Village College Mia took part in an initiative run by Owen Baker (Development Officer for the Town Council and Club), called the Football Leadership Academy, to help young people develop their leadership skills and both design and deliver their own 6-week football coaching programme for KS2 pupils. She was the only girl on the course – which we hope will change in the future.

Mia was also selected to be a Game Changer as part of a nationwide scheme run by England Football and Barclays #letgirlsplay to improve access to football for girls in school. She has already helped run a tournament for primary school age girls at Linton Village College and sessions at Cambourne Village College VC for younger years.

The recent Euros inspired us both and in the run up I volunteered at MK Dons stadium as a ceremony maker for all 4 matches held there during the Women's Euros. We were both fortunate to be at the Women's Euros final at Wembley - it was amazing!

My daughter Mia says that when she's old enough, she wants to coach her own girls team at Cambourne Town FC – I couldn’t recommend it enough! Clare Jenkins, Coach of Cambourne Town FC U15 Girls

Are you or your daughter inspired to get involved? Whether you want to play, coach or volunteer to support the club we would love to hear from you.