Young girls from across Hampshire are set to enjoy a football-filled summer thanks to a new programme run in conjunction with The FA.

SSE Wildcats has been designed to inspire girls aged between 5-11 to get involved in football, providing them with regular opportunities to play and take part in organised sessions in a fun and engaging environment created exclusively for girls.

SSE Wildcats Girls’ Football Clubs will run through the summer on a weekly basis, with Eastleigh FC among those to get involved – with more than 60 girls already signed up.

Springhill Primary School pupils Emese Frajka-Williams and Layla Russell are among those to attend the sessions at the Silverlake Stadium, and the new programme is a big hit.

“I think the SSE Wildcats scheme really inspires girls to actually join in with football,” said ten-year-old Frajka-Williams.

“Some think it’s only a game for boys and that girls don’t get to do it, but this really helps girls to get involved with football.

“I love football because it allows me to participate with others and play a game I love. I love to play in defence, because I never get to stop running.”

Classmate Russell added: “I think it’s really good because they provide really good training, and lots of fun and games.

“I love being able to play football with my friends, and I love to defend the ball. I’ve played football since I was three and I really like it.

“I would love to be a professional footballer one day, and play for the Saints, and this scheme will really help me to get to that level.”

The SSE Wildcats initiative follows the launch of The FA’s Gameplan for Growth, which outlines the aim to double girls’ participation in the sport by 2020.

And with more than 200 programmes having already been established up and down the country, the initiative is quickly proving to be a success.

“The SSE Wildcats scheme is an opportunity for us to provide a really safe environment for five to 11 year old girls across England,” said Rachel Pavlou, national participation manager for women’s football at The FA.

“We’re very proud to have established 200 [programmes] and this one in Eastleigh is a fantastic example of one of those.

“What I’ve particularly loved about being here today is that all you can hear is smiling, giggling and laughing.

“We absolutely want to double the number of women and girls playing football by 2020, that is our big strategy aim.

“Providing them with these SSE Wildcat centres gives them that fun and enjoyment from the game, and we hope then that they will continue as they get older.”

SSE Wildcats is a new initiative designed to inspire girls aged 5-11 to play football in a fun and engagement environment on a weekly basis. Created exclusively for girls, there are over 200 clubs across the country. To find yours, head to www.thefa.com/forgirls