Lewes Old Grammar School (LOGS) has teamed up with Lewes Football Club in a bid to encourage more girls to play the beautiful game.

LOGS has forged a partnership with the club after agreeing to fund its new changing facilities at the Dripping Pan’s 3G pitch.

The club, which hit the headlines internationally when it became the first semi professional or professional club in the world to pay its female team players the same amount as the men’s team, will be coaching girls at the school and its pupils will use the 3G pitch.

Female team members from the club will also be heading into school assembles to talk about equal opportunities in football – and to inspire girls to get involved in the sport.

LOGS head of GCSE PE Catherine Hyland, who has been playing football for 25 years and has played at county level for Essex and Sussex, started working at the school last September with the remit to get more girls into the country’s national sport.

She said: “All the girls in years 7 to 9 now play football in PE and next year that will extend to Years 10 and 11. We now have teams competing against other schools and I can see that there is real talent around. It’s about time that people realised that girls can be just as passionate and talented at this game as boys.

She added: “We thought it was a perfect fit to team up with Lewes FC who have become known around the world for their inclusive approach to the game. The pupils are really excited at the thought of getting some coaches in from the Dripping Pan and its really creating an atmosphere where girls realise what’s possible in football for them.”

Lewes FC director Charlie Dobres added: “We are extremely grateful for LOGS’ support in having a shelter and changing room space right next to the 3G pitch. This can now be used by all of Lewes’ community groups and clubs who play on the 3G. We applaud the school’s commitment to expanding their girls’ football coaching and we see it as a really significant move to integrate this into the curriculum as well as after school clubs.”

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