Huddle provides a fun and friendly environment for girls aged 4-11 to try football, make friends and have fun.
November’s ‘Huddle of the Month’ recognises Newport Live who have have played a key part in increasing girls’ participation within the Newport community.
Speaking to Community Health and wellbeing Development Coach Logan Busuttil he said:
“Huddle has been crucial for the development of girl’s football in Newport. We have been delivering Huddle since September 2023, there have since been an increase in female participation at grassroot football clubs within Newport. Within its first year, we have seen approximately 70 participants, this has since reached over 100 participants attending weekly.
“We have had girls kick a ball for the very first time through huddle, whilst others have gone on to pass external, county wide football trials. This project has been the best I have worked on so far.”
Logan emphasised the importance of Huddle as a tool do develop the girls’ skills beyond football and give them the opportunities to have a variety of experiences:
“As well as developing their footballing ability, the increase in their social skills, confidence and motivation towards playing football has been amazing to see. The opportunity to create lifelong positive memories of Huddle, as well as creating friendships through the session will set the foundations of the next generation of female footballers in both Newport & Wales.
“The majority of the girls have attended their first football match through Huddle with Cardiff City vs Wrexham in the women’s cup final back in May.”
Huddles aims to provide the opportunity for all girls to have access to football and Newport Live are passionate about making this happen:
“Enthusiasm, support and togetherness has been the three key strategies of developing the session. We greatly appreciate the difference in the age, experience and physical ability of the girls involved with Huddle. Everyone has their own footballing story, whether it has been good or bad previously, we want to ensure the girls that our sessions are stress free, fun and always beneficial in some way, shape or form.”
