Liverpool Schools FA appeals for female coaches

The chairman of a city's schools football association has appealed for more female coaches after an "unprecedented" year of success.

The Liverpool Schools FA teams won six out of six national finals this season.

They are now under 11, 12 and 15 boys national champions as well as under 12, 13 and 14 girls national champions.

Liverpool Schools FA chairman Andrew Reidel said it was an "amazing achievement" and the success of the girls' game reflected the growth of women's football.

'Strong grassroots structure'

Mr Reidel said the success was down to the "strong grassroots structure" in the city.

“The women's game and the girls' game is going from strength to strength in Liverpool," he said, adding the numbers of girls playing the sport had dramatically increased in recent years.

“A lot is to do with the grassroots in Liverpool. The boys and the girls.

"There is a strong grassroots structure that we benefit from because the boys and girls are so keen to play.

However, with so many youngsters now wanting to play Mr Reidel said the search was on for more coaches, particularly female coaches.

'A feat never done before'

"Without the coaches we can't run the teams," he said.

"If there are any female coaches that want to get involved please get in touch with us because we are always looking to increase the number of female coaches in our organisation."

The city teams' success had also caught the attention of West Derby MP Ian Byrne who said the national championships was "a truly remarkable achievement by the girls and boys" and "a feat never done before".

In a post on X, the Labour MP called for the success to be celebrated Everton and Liverpool football clubs and the city council.

Mr Reidel said the Liverpool Schools FA teams "really are ambassadors for our city".

"They portray the city in a positive light and so to acknowledge that and celebrate that would be a magnificent gesture."