Football is Great for Girls and the Future of Women’s Football. Predict the future by creating it !

Football – A Game for Life – is more than just a sport; it’s an incredible way for girls to grow, thrive, and discover their potential. Whether you’re stepping onto the field for the first time or already passionate about the game, football brings countless benefits that go well beyond the pitch. Here’s why every girl should think about getting involved.:

To All the Girls

To every girl who wants to feel stronger, find her people, or chase something bigger — football is your space. It’s where confidence grows, friendships form, and possibilities open. And right now, the game is changing. Girls are stepping onto the pitch in greater numbers, breaking old expectations and shaping a new future for football.

Every time you play, you’re not just learning skills — you’re proving what girls can do, inspiring others, and pushing the sport forward. Football builds resilience, leadership, and belief that stays with you long after the final whistle.

The pitch is ready for you — step into it with pride.

Mental & Physical Health Benefits

Football supports girls’ whole‑person development, strengthening both their bodies and their minds.

Physical Health

Build Strength & Fitness — Running, kicking, and constant movement improve cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and overall fitness.
Develop Coordination & Motor Skills — Football’s dynamic movements enhance balance, agility, and body control.
Encourage Healthy Habits — Regular activity builds long‑term routines that support physical well‑being and active lifestyles.

Mental Well‑Being

Boost Confidence — Achieving goals and mastering new skills helps girls believe in their abilities and trust themselves.
Reduce Stress & Anxiety — Physical activity releases endorphins, improving mood and supporting emotional balance.
Build Resilience — Overcoming challenges on the pitch teaches perseverance, adaptability, and problem‑solving.

Social & Emotional Growth

Strengthen Social Connections — Being part of a team builds friendships, belonging, and strong communication skills.
Develop Identity & Self‑Worth — Football helps girls understand who they are and what they can achieve.
Support Long‑Term Well‑Being — The confidence, habits, and skills gained through sport positively shape girls’ futures.

Building Confidence and Breaking Barriers

Football empowers girls to challenge expectations, grow in confidence, and take their place in a sport that’s rapidly evolving.

Confidence & Identity

Challenging Gender Norms — Girls on the pitch show that sport is for everyone, shifting perceptions and inspiring change.
Growing Self‑Belief — Learning new skills and taking on challenges builds confidence and a strong sense of identity.
Being Part of a Movement — Today’s players are helping transform the game and drive greater inclusivity.

Pathways & Opportunities

Pathways to Success — Football opens doors to coaching, refereeing, leadership roles, and higher‑level play.
Role Models to Inspire — With women’s football growing globally, girls now have relatable role models at every level.
A Growing Community — Women’s football is expanding rapidly, with increasing support, visibility, and investment.

Impact Beyond the Pitch

Breaking Barriers — Girls challenge stereotypes every time they play, proving the pitch is a place for everyone.
Personal Growth & Well‑Being — Football strengthens resilience, independence, and life skills that support girls long‑term.
Shaping the Future — By getting involved today, girls help build a more equal and inclusive sporting landscape.

Join the West Exe Youth FC Girls’ Section: Where Every Girl Belongs on the Pitch!

Are you ready to be part of something extraordinary? At West Exe Youth FC, we believe football is for everyone—and that includes YOU! Based in Exeter, Devon, our club is more than just a place to play football; it’s a community where girls can grow, thrive, and shine both on and off the pitch.

Why Join West Exe Youth FC?

Since 2000, West Exe Youth FC has been a hub for inclusion, development, and community. We’re proud to be a club that champions diversity and empowers young people to reach their full potential. With a female-led leadership team and a commitment to breaking barriers, we’re creating a future where girls know they belong in football.

Our girls’ section is one of our proudest achievements. It’s a space where girls can play, develop, and thrive in a supportive, all-female environment. Whether you’re new to football or already love the game, there’s a place for you at West Exe!

What We Offer

Joining the West Exe girls’ section means becoming part of a team that values fun, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Here’s what you can look forward to:

Dedicated Girls’ Teams: We currently have Under-10 and Under-12 teams, with plans to expand to more age groups.
Expert Coaching: Our coaches, including Chris Russell, Stu Whitfield, Lee Rundle, and Brinley Way, are passionate about helping every player succeed.
Match Days and Tournaments: Gain confidence and experience through friendly fixtures, tournaments, and competitive league play.
A Safe, Inclusive Environment: As a Charter Standard Club, we prioritize child protection, respect, and creating a space where every player feels valued.

Why Girls’ Football Matters

Football isn’t just a game—it’s a way to build confidence, make friends, and develop life skills. At West Exe, we’ve seen firsthand how football can transform lives. Parents tell us how their daughters have grown in confidence, improved their mental health, and built lasting friendships through the sport.

Our girls’ section is about more than football; it’s about creating opportunities and fostering a sense of belonging. Former players are returning to coach, and female volunteers are stepping into leadership roles, ensuring the next generation of girls has strong role models to look up to.

Be Part of the Movement

We’re not just building teams; we’re building a legacy. By joining West Exe, you’ll be part of a club that’s leading the way in grassroots football. Our Girls’ Section Officer is dedicated to representing your interests, supporting your development, and creating pathways for you to explore coaching, refereeing, and leadership roles.

What’s Next?

West Exe Youth FC is growing, and we want YOU to be part of our journey. Here’s what’s on the horizon:

New Teams: We’re launching girls’ teams in additional age groups.
Girls-Only Tournaments: Showcase your skills in exciting, inclusive competitions.
Workshops and Mentorship: Learn from experienced female coaches and referees.
School Partnerships: We’re working with local schools to introduce more girls to football.

Join Us Today!

Whether you’re a beginner or a budding star, there’s a place for you at West Exe Youth FC. Football is for everyone, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Come and be part of a club that’s shaping futures, building friendships, and empowering girls to lead.

How to Get Involved

Ready to join the team? Contact us today to learn more about training sessions, fixtures, and how you can become part of the West Exe family. Bring your passion, your energy, and your love for the game—we’ll take care of the rest.

At West Exe Youth FC, it’s not just about football; it’s about YOU. Let’s make history together.

The pitch is waiting— are you ready to play?

Join a Club ....

Your Game. Your Growth. Your Coaching.

Apex Coaching & Apex Goalkeeping

Apex Coaching and Apex Goalkeeping sit at the heart of our mission at This Girl Does Sport: creating environments where girls feel seen, supported, and unstoppable. Built by two passionate coaches with a shared belief in accessible, high‑quality football development, Apex is shaping the future of the game from the grassroots up.

Apex delivers two connected branches of player development:

Apex Coaching — individual and group football training for girls and boys at any age or experience level.
Apex Goalkeeping — specialist goalkeeper coaching designed to build confidence, technical skill, and enjoyment in one of the game’s most unique positions.

Both branches share one purpose: to give every player the opportunity to thrive, regardless of where they start..

Apex Coaching

Apex Coaching delivers high‑quality football development for girls and boys at any age or experience level. Every session is built around one core belief: players thrive when they are coached as individuals, not stereotypes.

Apex creates an environment where young players feel supported, challenged, and inspired to grow — technically, physically, and mentally. The focus is long‑term development, confidence, and enjoyment, not short‑term results.

What Apex Coaching Offers

Individual player development — tailored sessions that build technical skill, game understanding, and confidence.
Small‑group training — high‑intensity, high‑quality sessions that accelerate learning through repetition and challenge.
Inclusive coaching for all levels — from beginners discovering the game to advanced players preparing for performance pathways.
Player‑centred coaching — every player receives coaching that reflects their needs, strengths, and goals.
Pathway‑focused development — supporting players progressing into college programmes, development centres, academies, or competitive teams.

How Apex Coaching Supports Girls in Football

Apex Coaching aligns with the TGDS mission by creating environments where girls feel:

confident in their ability
supported by coaches who understand their journey
visible in a space where representation matters
capable of leading, not just participating

Girls see women coaching, leading, and shaping the game — and that changes what they believe is possible.

Apex Goalkeeping

Apex Goalkeeping provides specialist goalkeeper development — an area still underrepresented and often misunderstood in grassroots football, especially for girls.

Apex creates a space where goalkeepers receive the attention, detail, and support they need to grow in one of the game’s most demanding positions.

What Apex Goalkeeping Offers

Technical goalkeeper development — handling, footwork, distribution, positioning, and shot‑stopping.
Game understanding — decision‑making, reading play, and building confidence in real match scenarios.
Identity and confidence — helping goalkeepers understand their strengths and develop their presence.
Enjoyment and resilience — creating a positive environment where goalkeepers rediscover the joy of playing.

Why Goalkeeping Matters for Girls

Girls are often overlooked in goalkeeper development — fewer opportunities, less specialist coaching, and limited representation.

Apex Goalkeeping changes that by offering:

dedicated goalkeeper‑specific sessions
a coach who understands the position deeply
a pathway for girls who want to progress
an environment where they feel valued, not isolated

The Apex Coaching & Goalkeeping Philosophy

Apex Coaching is built on three pillars:

Quality — sessions grounded in experience, qualifications, and continuous learning.
Care — coaching that prioritises wellbeing, confidence, and enjoyment.
Progression — helping players take the next step, whatever that looks like for them

Their aim is simple and straightforward: to develop players who love the game, understand the game, and feel at home in the game.....

Meet Georgie — A Coach Showing Girls What’s Possible

A huge part of Apex’s mission is embodied by Georgie, whose work is redefining what girls believe they can achieve in football.

As Head Coach at Exeter College Women’s and Assistant Coach at Exeter City Community Trust’s Girls Development Centre, Georgie is committed to more than developing players — she’s building pathways.

Her coaching journey includes Exeter City Women’s and Hartpury University, supported by a strong playing background at Cheltenham Town Women’s, Forest Green Women’s, and The New Saints Women’s. With her UEFA B Licence complete, she stands as a powerful example of women leading in football.

Her purpose is simple and powerful: to be the role model she didn’t always have growing up.

She shows young girls that football isn’t just something they can take part in — it’s something they can lead.

Meet Lestyn — Championing the Most Underrepresented Position in Grassroots Football

With academy experience at Swansea City, Cardiff City, and Newport County — and senior football across the Welsh Leagues and Step 5 — Iestyn brings a depth of playing knowledge that shapes every session he leads.

His coaching journey includes Cheltenham Town Boys Development Centre, Glos Keepers Development Centre, and studies at Hartpury University. Now Head Goalkeeper Coach at Exeter City Community Trust’s Girls Development Centre, he is working towards his UEFA B Goalkeeping Licence.

Iestyn’s philosophy is rooted in a belief that goalkeeper development remains one of the most underrepresented and misunderstood areas in grassroots football — especially for girls.

His mission is to help goalkeepers:

understand the game
build the tools to be the difference
develop confidence and identity
rediscover the joy of playing.

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