Medis Ltd, the Douglas-based pharmaceutical company, is staging a football skills coaching and training session for 6-12 year old girls on Sunday 25th October.

The coaching session, which is being held at Marown Memorial Playing Fields, is open to anyone within that age range but numbers are limited to 40 girls, so budding sportswomen are advised to book now to secure a place.

Football has attracted increasing interest from women and girls in recent years.

A 2008 survey found that that 260,000 women and 1.1 million girls play some form of football in England, and it’s estimated that there are 26 million females playing across the world, of which 4.1 million are playing affiliated football – up 54% since the year 2000.

The England Women’s team raised the profile of the women's game even further by getting to the European Championship Final in Helsinki and the Football Association is now believed to be considering the creation of a professional women’s football league.

Here on the Island, Medis Ltd is doing its own bit to foster girls' interest in the sport. 

"As a pharmaceutical company, we are keen to promote healthy lifestyles and see girls’ football as an excellent way of encouraging young people to keep fit," says Stuart Colligon, Medis Managing Director.

"We are convinced that there are lots of Manx girls with a talent for football, and hope that the training session will help them discover and develop that talent.

"This free coaching session is for any girl, with any level of skill: from mere beginners to a budding female David Beckham - everyone will get something out of coming along."

Looking to the future, Marown Football Club is keen to establish a girls’ team, and it is hoped that the one-off October training session could lead to the formation of a permanent female side.

Medis Ltd's free coaching session will take place from 10am - 1pm at Marown Memorial Playing Fields (Old School Road, Crosby).

Each girl must be accompanied by one parent or responsible adult.

To book a place, email tguy@medis.is with the name of the child or children, their ages, plus a contact email address and telephone number. 

Alternatively, telephone (01624) 692962 and ask to speak to a member of the marketing team.