FROM only being launched earlier this year, Thackley Juniors Football Club's girls' section is thriving.

Over 30 girls have been registered in four age groups from under-eights to under-11s and three teams have already been entered in the West Riding County Girls' League.

Initial contact was made with four primary schools in association with the West Riding County FA – Thackley in particular but also Idle Church of England, Blakehill and Greengates – and taster sessions were held at each, culminating in a football festival and the handover to Thackley Juniors.

Thackley Juniors' head of girls' coaching Michelle Woollias explained: "Our ethos is built around fun, such as developing skills through small-sided games and giving each girl as much opportunity to have time with a ball at their feet.

"This then feeds into match play, with good skills and development taking priority over results at these young ages. This has been key to our success so far as the confidence, building friendships and teamwork has grown."

Football can, of course, have benefits beyond fitness and Karen Pyrah said of her daughter Ava: "From starting with the club, she has gained so many football skills in such a short space of time.

"The girls have a brilliant understanding of the game. The team spirit is also brilliant as they communicate as a team.

"Also Ava's confidence has gone from strength to strength. She runs around that pitch with such concentration on her face because she is in the game 'zone'.

"I love when the team all high-five each other when they score a goal or, on the other hand, regroup and encourage each other.

"To me it's unbelievable what Thackley Juniors have done with these girls. You can tell they all love it."

Although Thackley Juniors girls' teams have made a solid start, they still need more players to enter further teams in leagues and anyone interested should turn up at their winter indoor training sessions.

The under-eights and nines play at GOALS on Kings Road on Fridays (6-7pm), while the under-tens and under-11 train on Thursdays at Carlton Bolling's sports hall (6-7pm).

Woollias can be contacted via e-mail to ThackleyGirls@btinternet.com or by Twitter@ThackleyGirls.