Women's Football - Hampstead youth team meet Arsenal's Gael Clichy
Published: 20 May, 2010
by STEVE BARNETT
ORGANISERS behind plans to turn Chase Lodge into a
multi-million pound football facility have unveiled their latest addition to the 16-acre site.
The Camden Community Football and Sports Association (CCFSA), who bought the recreational ground in Barnet off Camden Council, have revealed that they want to include a development centre for women’s football in their blueprints.
The charity, which saw top youth club Hampstead join forces with semi-professional side Kentish Town, is planning to transform Chase Lodge into a first-class sports facility.
The early plans boast eight multi-use pitches including a number of all-weather surfaces, while the centrepiece will be an FA-standard pitch with a stand.
There will also be multi-purpose accommodation which will be used for sports therapy and community activities.
Now they also want to be able to offer female footballers a stable place where they can regularly train and play matches.
Chairwoman of Hampstead Football Club Diane Culligan, who also heads the CCFSA, said: “We’re really keen to promote girls’ football, we want to get as many women and girls as we can enjoying the game in a safe and non-aggressive environment.
“We don’t want restrictions. We want players of all abilities joining up to take part in our national game, and Chase Lodge is the ideal place to achieve our goal,” she added.
Overall fundraisers are hoping to raise £4million to transform Chase Lodge, a figure that was boosted last month when Arsenal defender Gael Clichy handed over a cheque for £20,000 as part of the Barclays Premier League Places for Players initiative.
In a continuing bid to raise money the CCFSA held their first ever tournament at Chase Lodge on Sunday. It proved a huge success, with more than 1,000 boys joining in the fun.
The competition was organised by Lindsey Horsfield, who has represented the under-21s Canadian national team. Diane is now looking forward to working with Lindsey to arrange more tournaments – this time for the girls.
“Sunday was fantastic. Everyone really enjoyed it, especially as it was an 11-a-side competition which is quite rare.
“We’re certainly planning to host some more events soon, and really want to put together a few more tournaments just for women and girls.
“We also want to offer girls the chance to take referee courses and gain their FA badges.”
• HAMPSTEAD are currently holding ongoing trials for their girls’ teams. Anyone interested should email Diane at
info@hampsteadfc.co.uk for further details.