A YOUTH football club in Romsey now has a new girls’ team after continued support from a Hampshire housebuilder.

Braishfield Bees FC is a growing youth football club in the village of Braishfield on the outskirts of Romsey, and with the help of its lead sponsor, David Wilson Homes, the club has been able to set up a new under 7s girls’ team and provide kit for each of its players.

To reflect the growing interest in grassroots football from girls in Hampshire, the club has been keen to introduce an all-female team for some time and with the latest sponsorship, this has now become a reality.

Ian Bates, Braishfield Bees FC’s chairman said: “It has always been a huge ambition of ours to have a girls’ team on board, and we’re delighted to be starting a new season with our new under 7s team.

“Without the help from our sponsor, David Wilson Homes, this wouldn’t have been possible. The housebuilder has generously supplied the kit for our new girls’ team, as well as for our two under 7s boys’ teams. We’re extremely grateful.”

After 18 months of restrictions on gatherings and team sports events having to be cancelled, the chance for young people to get outside and get active has been well received.

Jon Green, David Wilson Homes managing director in the Southampton Division, said: “During the pandemic, children have been unable to take part in group sports like football as much as they would have liked.

“It’s great to see Hampshire youngsters having the opportunity to get physically active together here in Braishfield, and it’s wonderful that girls can now be a part of that. We’re thrilled we can help.”

Braishfield Bees FC is one of the most progressive clubs in the area and is keen to expand next year with the introduction of a second girls’ team.

Ian added: “We continually push ourselves to provide a safe, fun and inclusive environment for all our teams, and next year we are keen to introduce a second girls’ team to cater for demand and develop the club further.”

The youth football club was formed in 2009 and has flourished ever since. It caters for under 7s to under 18s and each age group has a dedicated management team with at least 1 FA qualified coach.

Teams play in the top divisions of both the Testway Youth Football League (TWYFL) and Hampshire Girls Youth League.