Girls’ football is thriving at a Dorset club with record-high player numbers and growing teams.
Lilliput FC in Poole has reported a 29 per cent increase in girls’ participation this season, rising from 103 to 133 registered players across all age groups.
Chris Miller, U15 girls’ team manager, said: “There is nothing quite like team sports to help teenage girls navigate those vital years.
“Football isn’t just about what happens on the pitch; it’s about building resilience, learning to work as a unit, and developing a quiet confidence that translates into everyday life.
U7 Girls team at Lilliput FC (Image: Lilliput FC)
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“It has been an absolute privilege to watch these girls grow into resilient young women, and we are determined to keep this pathway open for them, and those that follow in their footsteps.”
This year, the club launched its first U15 girls’ team and welcomed more than 50 players under the age of seven, smashing the previous record.
Alain Desmier, U7 girls’ team manager, said: “We’ve got more girls playing football at Lilliput FC than at any point in our history, and our older girls are role models and coaches to our primary age players.
“We’re incredibly lucky to have such committed parents, coaches and players all focused on creating opportunities for local children.”
