The Fingal Sports Office has teamed up with the FAI and Swords Pavilions to host a Girls Football Blitz later this month.

The Fingal Sports Office and the FAI have been actively working together to inspire the future generation of Fingal footballers in recent weeks. Support from Swords Pavilions will allow this event to showcase the growing interest among girls across Fingal who are eager to play The Beautiful Game. For many of these young girls, it may be the first time they proudly don their grassroots club jersey, with the potential to follow in the footsteps of local Fingallian World Cup heroes such as Diane Caldwell (formerly of Balbriggan FC), Izzy Atkinson (formerly of Rush Athletic), and Jamie Finn (formerly of Swords Manor).

Commenting on the event, Paul Keogh, FAI/Fingal County Council Football Development Officer added; “My colleagues and I are really looking forward to this event. We have enjoyed watching the Girls in Green in Australia and felt it was important to support the great work of the grassroots clubs by hosting this event in the AUL. By concentrating on the youngest ages, together with the environment we will set, it promises to be a great event.”

Gerry Reardon, Fingal County Council Principal Sports Officer, added; “We are only too pleased to support this venture and provide opportunities for girls across Fingal. The World Cup has heightened interest and to capitalise on that we feel this event has fantastic potential. We know sport brings people together on and off the pitch, we witnessed that with close to 1,500 people attending our own Watch Party in conjunction with Sport Ireland and Active Cities, so this is a follow through on a commitment to have a legacy following the great efforts of the fantastic role models in Australia.”

Ian Hunter, Centre Director of Swords Pavilions, said; “The Women’s World Cup brings both highs and lows, it encourages camaraderie and teamwork and we hope that this shines through with this event. It is very pleasing to see the participation growth of women’s football especially in Fingal and involvement in this fantastic event links to Swords Pavilions supporting sport in our community. We are also pleased to add an educational aspect to this collaboration by linking in with www.bridgenutrition.ie who are delivering an informative workshop for all coaches attending the event on all aspects of player nutrition which I am sure lots of parents will also appreciate.”

The FCC-FAI-Swords Pavilions Girls Blitz takes place on Saturday, August 19th, 2023 - the day before the Women’s World Cup final. For more information, please contact [email protected] or your local FAI/FCC development officer.

To book your teams place - https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/fai-fcc-swords-pavilions-girls-blitz-tickets-684287561517