Hemp's first club needs coaches as girls rush to join

Lauren Hemp lifts the European Championship trophy

Lauren Hemp's first football club needs more coaches - as youngsters inspired by the success of their local Lioness rush to join.

The forward has just won her second Euros title with England but started out at North Walsham Town FC in Norfolk.

Its clubhouse was packed on Sunday as Hemp and the Lionesses beat Spain in a penalty shootout to lift the European trophy.

The historic win has prompted a fresh wave of interest from youngsters, with under-10 girls coach Vicky Harmer saying: "Every day we're getting more calls from parents wanting their girls to join the club."

"It's monumental," Ms Harmer said of Hemp's impact.

"Girls' football at the club is continuing to grow at such a rapid pace and the Lionesses have been the ones that have inspired these girls to join."

She added: "Right from reception age upwards there are tonnes of girls that want to play and unfortunately at the moment we just don't have the coaches to put on the teams for the girls.

"We're doing our best to get some friendlies in but we would absolutely love coaches to come forward."

Vicky Harmer, North Walsham Town FC's under-10 girls coach, says the Lionesses' win has given women's football another boost

Hemp started out playing with boys teams at North Walsham but joined Norwich City's Centre of Excellence at 10 years old.

That was disbanded five years later, so she returned to her hometown club.

Hemp was again playing alongside boys until joining Bristol City as a 16-year-old - as her journey towards the professional game stepped up.

Her family still live in North Walsham, where a huge mural of Hemp takes pride of place on the side of cafe.

The marketplace was packed when she returned for a celebration of England's 2022 Euros triumph.

There was a huge turnout in North Walsham as Lauren Hemp was celebrated after England's 2022 Euros success

The club has boys and girls teams - but it is struggling to keep up with the demand created by Hemp's high-profile successes with Manchester City and the lionesses.

A spokesman for the Norfolk Football Association encouraged potential volunteers to approach their local clubs.

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