The Leicestershire and Rutland County Football Association are getting behind the FA’s national Women and Girls’ Football Focus Week, which takes place between Saturday 25th February and Saturday 3rd March.

Combining a number of unique, fun and interactive football events, the week of action will see numerous activities taking place across Leicestershire and Rutland.

As part of the ‘focus’ week, FA Charter Standard clubs will be opening their doors, allowing females of all ages the opportunity to get involved and play football through the running of free open sessions.

In addition to playing sessions, refereeing courses will also be taking place to support the growing number of females wishing to take up officiating football matches.

The week’s activities will culminate in a huge event at the Leicestershire & Rutland County FA’s headquarters of Holmes Park in Whetstone, the home of Leicester City Women, with the FA Girls’ Football Roadshow taking over the facility for the day.

The Roadshow aims to inspire girls between the ages of 5 and 17 to get involved in football through a number of interactive activities, which can lead to taking up the game full-time in various formats.

“The Women and Girls’ Football Focus Week and FA Girls Football Roadshow highlights the vast amount of opportunities there are for females to get involved in football,” says Adam Holyoake, Women and Girls’ Football Development Officer for the Leicestershire and Rutland County FA.

“Female football has recently become the third-highest team participation sport in England and continues to grow. Increasing the exposure of the female game in Leicestershire and Rutland will only increase participation and support for the game further.”

Everything from warm-up exercises, goalkeeping challenges and small-sided playing areas will be available at the FA Girls Football Roadshow, which also incorporates lifestyle and music.

Indoor domes will house trophies and digital stations to entertain participants when in need of a break from playing, whilst parents are also catered for with indoor food and drink areas available to relax in.

Those attending will get the chance to meet with the stars of the female game, as members of the England squad and FA Women’s Super League will be in attendance to interact, chat and have a kick-about with everybody participating.

For more details of the Football Focus Week’s events and the FA Girls Football Roadshow are posted on the Leicestershire and Rutland County FA’s website www.LeicestershireFA.com.