The momentum behind women’s football has never been stronger since the Lionesses’ historic UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 victory. According to FIFA, over 29 million women and girls are now playing football worldwide, with a target of reaching 60 million players by 2026.
As good as it is growing the women’s professional game, we equally need to improve grassroots development and help clubs lay foundations for success in the women’s game.
You might be a male-dominated club looking to expand into the women’s game, or simply just one woman with an ambition. Either way, we will help lay out the path to success.
Register Your Team and Affiliate with Your County FA
Before your team can kick a ball in competitive football, you’ll need to affiliate your club with your local County Football Association (FA) and register with a league in your area.
This is the first step in forming any football team—it’s what gives your club official recognition and makes you eligible to play in sanctioned competitions.
Affiliation involves providing your club’s key information, such as your team officials, safeguarding officer (if you’re running under-18s), and insurance details. You’ll also need to register for the relevant age group leagues and, in some cases, enter County Cup competitions.
This process differs slightly between England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, so double-check your local FA, but they all should be fairly similar practices.
Bear in mind that this process does come with costs such as affiliation fees, league registrations, insurance, and kit all require funding. Many new girls’ teams kick things off by organising fundraisers or securing sponsorships from local businesses in order to secure custom football kits, and everything in between.
Gather and Retain a Strong Squad of Players
You likely already have a core group ready to get involved if you’re researching this, which is a brilliant start.
However, a competitive team takes more than just a starting eleven. To really thrive, you’ll need to aim for a squad of around 24 to 32 players.
Retention is key in both men’s and women’s football, as most teams struggle long-term because players lose interest or drop off.
It’s easier said than done, but the best thing you can do is to make sure the environment is inclusive, enjoyable, and competitive to keep players motivated. Promote your team actively through social media, word of mouth, and flyers or banners in local schools, gyms, and community hubs.
Appoint Qualified Coaches and Source Equipment
Having qualified coaches and the right equipment makes ALL the difference in training, matches, and the overall experience.
Staying on the subject of player retention, this will play a vital part. Ultimately, the coaches will be the main reason girls come back.
Head coaches should have an up-to-date FA coaching certificate. While not always mandatory, it’s always recommended as safe and effective coaching is not for everyone.
As for gear, your footballs, cones, bibs, and goals are all fundamental in the player’s experience.
The Road Ahead
Women’s football is only going to continue growing with more visibility, investment, and participation at all levels.
While there’s plenty more involved in running a successful club, getting the basics right from the start puts your best foot forward. Everything beyond that comes from league success, sponsorships, or community recognition.
