Chester: New facility helping to grow girls and women's football

The new facility was made possible thanks in part to a donation from the Ursula Keyes Trust.

The sports hub is available for the community to hire and includes Chester FC Women, Cheshire Girls Football League, Saughall Colts, Upton JFC and Chester & Wirral Football League, for training and matches, helping grow participation in football.

Chester FC also trains there.

Chester FC's Community Trust runs a senior women’s team in the North West Regional League, a development squad and an under-18s side. It offers football for girls aged five through to seniors and is one of the FA's Emerging Talent Centres.

17 million people watched England ’s Lionesses beat Germany 2-1 in the European Championship final in front of 87,000 at Wembley, showing how interest in women’s football has developed.

The Duke of Westminster opened the new facility in June during which a girls’ football tournament on the new 3G pitch took place involving children from eight Chester primary schools.

He said; “This incredible facility will finally provide a much-needed home for Cheshire’s women and girl’s football. I’ve been heartened by the collective support both locally, and from the various partners, to deliver such a high-quality environment.”

Jim Green, CEO of Chester FC Community Trust, said: “We are hugely grateful for the outstanding support, belief and encouragement we have received from everyone involved in this project. It would not have been possible without them.”

John Brimelow, a Trustee of the Ursula Keyes Trust who represented the trust at the opening of the new facility in June added; “Ursula Keyes was herself a prominent Chester resident interesting in furthering children and young people here. Many people will know her name from the Ursula Keyes Breast Care Centre at the Countess of Chester Hospital.”

He added; “I look forward to following the progress and activities at the hub and congratulate Chester FC Community Trust.”