With the growing popularity and support of the Welsh women's national team, more young girls are being inspired to get involved in football.

On November 29, 2024, the Welsh women's national football team welcomed a record attendance of 16,845 to their home ground, Cardiff City Stadium, in a match against the Republic of Ireland. These numbers make one thing clear, the women's game is only growing.

The FA’s ‘For Her’ strategy update was published in October 2024 and reported that there has been a 45 per cent increase in participation with more than 15,000 women and girls getting involved in football.

With the increasing popularity, more schemes are being set up around the country in order to encourage girls to get involved in the game.

Huddle is encouraging girls to take up football (Image: Huddle) Huddle is a friendly and inclusive programme that aims to grow the amount of girls playing football in the local area. Aimed at girls aged 7-11, the Newport Huddle, which was selected as FA Wales’ ‘Huddle of the month’ for November, is run by Newport Live.

It is an opportunity for girls to find their passion for the game, regardless of experience or skills.

Ellen Phillips, Community Sport and Physical Activity Development Officer for Newport Live, said: “The programme goes far beyond teaching technical skills. The inclusion of team-bonding games is a standout feature designed to nurture the social and emotional aspects of the sport."

Girls take part in a range of team building activities (Image: Huddle) These team-building activities include relay races, trust exercises and group drills that are designed to ensure that the girls participating feel comfortable around their peers. Ellen explains how the focus on social development “ensures every participant not only improves on the pitch but also grows in confidence and learns to thrive in a team setting”.

Since launching in September 2023, Huddle has welcomed over 200 girls. Many of which have gone on to join local grassroots clubs.

Ellen said: “This progression is a major milestone, not just for the girls themselves but also for Newport’s footballing ecosystem, as it ensures a steady stream of passionate, skilled players for the future."

Participants have the chance to explore many exciting opportunities through Huddle. Girls have attended their first ever football match through events on match days at Rodney Parade.

Players from Wales’ Women's senior team, Cardiff City Ladies, and Gwalia, have visited the girls at Huddle and presented them with match day tickets for all three of the team.

These visits have inspired the girls and created a further connection to their role models and the game that they have developed a love for.

Huddle is passionate about building a future for women's football in Wales (Image: Huddle) Huddle is passionate about building the future of girls football in Wales.

Ellen said: “As participation continues to grow and more girls transition into grassroots clubs, the ripple effects of our Huddle Programme will be felt across Newport, from local leagues to wider community engagement.

"This initiative stands as a shining example of how targeted programmes can transform lives, one session at a time."