THE Cumberland FA has announced that it will be launching more football sessions for women aged over 35 across Cumbria. 

This expansion follows the initial success of local over 35 sessions which were launched in March 2023 and have so far been attended by more than 100 women.

Now, the Just Play Centres by England Football will be expanded across Carlisle, Penrith, and Workington, with the aim of increasing the visibility and accessibility for women. 

To accommodate the expansion, the new sessions will be supported by both the Cumberland Fa and volunteers across Cumberland.

Helen Aitchison, Cumberland FA’s women and girls football development officer, said: "We’re delighted that Allerdale Wildcats will lead on the monthly 'West' sessions with participating volunteers supporting the Carlisle sessions going forward to enable us to confirm plenty of dates from now until the summer.

"Without the support of the participants to become volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to support a large number of dates giving more women the opportunity to either come back to the game or try it for the first time."

Helen also explained how she hopes the expanded sessions will support the growth of local women's football.

She said: "Many women aged 35+ consider themselves as the 'lost' generation where playing opportunities growing up were few and far between, so we’re determined to encourage as many women as possible to come along and have a go; to build a network of interested women which will grow this area of the game moving forward.

"The fact that more than 100 women have so far registered and attended at least one Turn Up and Play session shows there is a demand for this format of football."

The first of the new sessions will take place at Lakes College 3G, Workington on Sunday, February 25 between 2 pm and 3.30 pm, whereas the first session in Carlisle will take place at Harraby 3G on Sunday, March 3 between 3 pm and 4.30 pm.