Swifts FC have been welcoming a rapid increase of girls to their training sessions recently.
The girls’ side relaunched seven years ago, and they have been welcoming more than 100 girls every Monday and Wednesday to training. This is a twenty-fold increase from when the club was relaunched.
The club is part of the Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts who have a training base in Dalgety Bay.
Back in 2017, five girls joined coaches Gez Gibson and Adam Blackley, three of those players are still at the club. Due to work commitments, Adam has stepped away from coaching, but Gez can still be seen at the Dalgety Bay training hub four times a week as Head of Girls football at the Inverkeithing-based club, as well as at weekends overseeing various sides.
There are 105 players under the age of 14. Gez commented: “No player ever got better at football while waiting for a phone call or email.
“Although there have been times we’ve been full to the rafters, we have always tried to let girls play and train with us at the earliest opportunity, even when it meant large squads at times.”
READ MORE: Dunfermline gran gains over a million followers on TikTok
As previously reported in the Press, the voluntary work of girls at the Swifts was recognised by Douglas Chapman, MP for Dunfermline West. He presented the girls with a framed Government Early Day Motion (EDM), recognising their achievements in supporting the Euro Nations qualifiers for Amputee Football in Dalgety Bay.
The club’s focus is on player performance and development, rather than result. Gez added: “We have about 20 coaches in the girls’ section currently, all giving up a few evenings and a weekend morning to ensure the girls get to train and play, while also having to attend training courses themselves.
“Without those volunteers, we would not be in the great position we are and the coaching teams deserve great credit for their efforts in encouraging the girls.”
The team is also supported by volunteers who do the administration and registration work. “My wife oversees admin for the whole of the girls’ section, so I see first-hand how much needs to be done behind the scenes and the success of the girls’ side of the club is as much a reflection of their hard work as it is of the players themselves.” Gez said.
READ MORE: Police provide support and advice for older drivers
Last year was a breakthrough year for the club with an under-14 side playing competitive league football for the first time. They achieved double cup success and two further sides will be representing the club at under-14s sides this year.
As well as overseeing the whole girls’ section, Gez has also set up a recreational women’s team for the club. It has around 20 players who regularly turn up on Tuesday evenings, and they play bi-monthly tournaments across the country.
Gez commented: “Perhaps in the future, we will have a competitive women’s side, but for now, it is encouraging to see so many turning up for recreational football and getting the many mental health, social and physical benefits from doing so.
“It’s great to see people who haven’t played for a number of years, or ever before, coming together like this.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here