AN INITIATIVE aimed at getting girls involved in football and other sports has kicked off in Clackmannanshire.

The Game On Girls initiative is being launched by Coalfields Regeneration Trust and follows the success of CRT’s ‘Game On’ programme, which began last year as a way to engage with local youngsters from former coalfield communities through sport and physical activity.

It is intended to encourage more girls between P1-P7 to get physically active, try something new and have fun with the long term view of transitioning into local community programmes and clubs, where they can then continue to pursue their chosen sport.

Part of Game On’s role, through direct delivery of sport-based activity, is to play a major part in addressing the growing health, skills and employment inequalities for boys and girls within coalfield communities across the country.

CRT’s vision is to encourage healthy lifestyles and support young people and their families to be more active, more often.

Led by ‘Game On’ Development Manager Sean Laird, Game On Girls consists of five sessions each week across the Fife and Clackmannanshire area.

“We’ve been really pleased with the response to ‘Game On’, and it’s been great to begin to grow our Game On Girls offering," said Sean.

"It’s been doing well since it launched with over 100 girls attending weekly sessions. We would encourage girls interested in taking part to come along and give it a go. It’s a great way to make friends, stay active and be involved in your local community.

“CRT is proud to have forged strong local partnerships and it is our hope that it will continue to help plug the participation gap in sport in coalfield communities.”

In the Wee County, sessions for P4s to P7s are being held in Tullibody and Alloa.

The Tullibody training, running in conjunction with Sauchie Juniors Academy, is on at Tullibody Civic Centre on Thursdays from 3.30pm, until 4.15 and from 4.15pm until 5pm.

Held in partnership with WASP community club, the sessions at Alloa Athletic FC are on Mondays from 4pm until 5pm.

To register, email gameonscotland@coalfields-regen.org.uk.