New girls football training sessions set for January launch at The Cottesloe School

Training opportunities for young female football enthusiasts in Buckinghamshire are being boosted in the new year, thanks to the creation of a recently opened 3G community pitch.

MK Dons Community Trust, the football club’s official charity, has partnered with The Cottesloe School in Wing to deliver weekly football training sessions for girls aged nine to 16 of all playing abilities.

It comes after The Cottesloe School received funding from the Football Foundation and Buckinghamshire Council to develop its own 3G pitch for school and wider community use.

The sessions will be delivered on Monday evenings between 7.30pm and 8.30pm with coaching provided by the Trust’s experienced and qualified team of FA and UEFA licensed coaches.

In a further boost, the first three sessions – delivered on January 5, January 12 and January 19 - will be delivered free of charge to all participants.

As an extension of the partnership, MK Dons Community Trust will also support the school’s curriculum by delivering programmes with the aim of helping pupils to reach their best potential.

Coaches will also support the development of volunteers at The Cottesloe School’s three partner clubs - Wingrave Wasps, Wing Raiders and Stewkley FC.

Dene Walsh, Head of Community Football at MK Dons Community Trust, said: “Participation across our girls football programmes has boomed in recent years.

“The success of the Lionesses, mainstream media coverage of the women’s game and more opportunities to play locally have all contributed to this.

“This partnership prompts a fantastic opportunity for young female football enthusiasts of all abilities to continue with their development, or even take the first steps to participating in a formal environment.

“It’s fantastic to have a new 3G pitch in Buckinghamshire, and we’re delighted to work with The Cottesloe School in support of its vision to make physical activity accessible to as many people locally as possible.

“We encourage people to sign-up to January’s free taster sessions, and hope to see a strong turnout of players on the nights.”

The new partnership isn’t the only link between The Cottesloe School and MK Dons.

Year 12 student Maddie Pollard currently represents the Dons as a forward, while first-team Head of Performance Analysis Simon Dunn graduated in 2011.

Simon Jones, Headteacher at The Cottesloe School, added: “As a prerequisite for securing funding for the new 3G pitch from The Football Foundation and Buckinghamshire Council, the development of girls and women's football was identified as a key success criterion.

“We are therefore delighted to announce a partnership with MK Dons Community Trust, who will support the growth of girls and women's football for our local partner clubs, the school, and our wider community.”

Parents and carers interested in registering their children to MK Dons Community Trust’s new football training sessions for girls at The Cottesloe School can do so by clicking here. 

Sessions run from 7.30pm – 8.30pm and are free to attend on Monday, January 5, January 12 and January 19. Afterwards, each session will cost £6 to attend.

The Trust will also deliver its own MK Girls Performance sessions between 6pm and 7.30pm on the same evening.