YOUNG female footballers across south Somerset are being handed a dream opportunity to showcase their skills and rub shoulders with the stars at one of the FA’s highly-successful annual girls football festivals on Tuesday, March 3.

The free-to-attend event, backed by Somerset FA and host venue Bucklers Mead Academy in Yeovil, is aimed at encouraging girls of primary and secondary school ages within the southern part of the county to parade their skills and enthusiasm on the football field in a unique and spectacular way.

Participants will have the chance to perform with some of the stars of women’s football, as players from the FA Women’s Super League will be there to meet, chat and have a kick-about with the girls.

In addition Charlotte Lade one of the world’s leading professional football freestylers, will be demonstrating her amazing tricks and skills.

The FA Girls’ Football Festivals, in association with Continental Tyres, have gone from strength to strength, attracting more than 8,000 girls across 25 events.

Now a much anticipated fixture on the annual calendar for the women’s and girls’ game, the 2015 festivals will once more visit over 25 locations around the country, including Somerset, between February and October.

Somerset FA women and girls development officer, Aaron Clements said: “The festivals provide girls aged five to 16 with an exciting football experience, for those new to the game and for regular players.

“The format is fun and interactive, combining football, lifestyle and music. Each festival is led by FA-approved coaches and includes sessions from the FA Skills team and Football Mash Up.

“There are skills and drills, interactive games, mini matches and the ContiWarmUp Programme, which is the newest endorsed coaching programme run by the FA.”

An interactive trailer will house trophies and digital stations to entertain girls during intervals, while a range of innovative equipment including inflatable pitch, speed cage, target shoot, quick feet and BATAK boards will feature at each event.

To add to the festival atmosphere, there will be giveaways, as well as hair braiding and face painting. FA Women’s Super League mascot Berry the Bear will also be in attendance.

Kelly Simmons, director of the National Game and Women’s Football, said: “We have been incredibly proud of the achievements of The FA Girls’ Football Festivals, in association with Continental Tyres, over the last four years.

“Our festivals have clearly shown the enthusiasm there is across the country from young girls when they are offered the opportunity to participate in sport in general, and football in particular.”

Guy Frobisher, marketing director at Continental Tyres, added: “The festivals have grown year on year and have given tens of thousands of girls the chance to get involved.

“The day will be a fantastic showcase of women and girls football which we are really proud to continue to support.

“To ensure the day is a huge success, Somerset County FA are looking to employ a number of Level 1 coaches to help it run as smoothly as possible.

“There are also several volunteer opportunities.”

Anyone interested in helping out at the Bucklers Mead event can email aaron.clements@somersetfa.com