- Club & School Development
- League Development
- Step Into Sport
- Disability Football
- Support Hull College Girls Centre Of Excellence
Contact - Email: Gemma Thomas
Gemma Thomas is the new Women and Girls Football Development Officer at the East Riding County FA. She is originally from Norfolk, moving to the area to study Sports Science with Management at Hull University in 2005. She graduated with a BSc (Hons) in 2008. She played football for Kings Lynn Ladies in Norfolk for many years before joining the University team whilst studying. She has also played for the County Representative Squad on a number of occasions. Gemma currently coaches the Under 14 squad with Graham Turner at the Hull College Girls Centre of Excellence.
Women’s football is the fastest growing team sport in the world. In the UK there are currently 1.6million girls under 15 playing football of some form, 131,000 women playing in regular affiliated competitions and 1087 female officials. East Riding has a thriving Girls League with age’s ranging from under 10 to under 16 as well as a successful Women’s League.
As well as trying to increase the number of females playing football on a regular basis Gemma aims increase the number of females involved in the game at all levels from officiating and coaching to volunteering. She will also be looking to improve the opportunities for those with disabilities throughout the county.
There are ample opportunities for involvement throughout the county. Funding is available for those wishing to achieve refereeing and coaching qualifications and the Football Foundation offers a Small Grants Scheme for established clubs seeking to grow and develop. Volunteering opportunities are also available for young people through the Step into Sport Programme which Gemma will look to promote and develop.
Over the next few months the County FA will be holding a Female only Coaching Demonstration and a Women’s and Girls Development day as well as a number of festivals and tournaments for players of all abilities including a disability festival and a beach soccer tournament. The FA also runs the 3 Lions course which encourages the progression from school participation to club football from which talented girls can be selected to play for the Hull College Girls Centre of Excellence.
For further information on any aspects of women and girls or disability football please contact Gemma Thomas on 02075 344310 or email gemma.thomas@eastridingfa.com