THE first of a possible six girls’ and minis football festivals – designed to give the female version of the game a long-term boost – was a resounding success at La Hague Manor on Saturday.

A total of 140 girls turned up to play small-sided matches, 35 in the under-8 and U10 age groups and a further 105 in the U12, U14 and U16 sections.

Together with 90 boys in the minis’ section, U8s and U10s, the organisers were stretched to the full and three times the canteen ran out of food! Festival organiser Kayleigh Alexandre said: ‘Unfortunately we started late because so many players turned up but it was great fun and an excellent day for the players, referees and helpers.

‘We had eight teams of new players represented by the Jersey College for Girls, Haute Vallée, Les Quennevais and Le Rocquier schools together with a group of friends.

‘I managed to speak with the majority of them and give advice about how they can join clubs with the view to go training and get more games to play.’ Run in conjunction with Jersey FA Football Development and the Coca-Cola Jersey Football Combination, the recruitment drive is helping create better opportunities for all to participate in football and then help the girls train and play with clubs.

All participants in the two lower age groups received certificates while the older groups’ players receiving medals as mementoes.

The next festival will be held on 24t November at Les Quennevais.

Entry forms can soon be downloaded from the Jersey Football Association’s website www.jerseyfa.com