A NEW football team has been launched in Yate. 

Yate United will have an under 12 girls' team from this season. 

Dad Terry Brown, whose daughter Tiana is part of the team, says history was made when they registered their first ever girls' team at the club, coached by Poppy. 

He said: "Tiana was always sporty as she was following he brother around with a ball of some sort but she wanted to try ballet first but after a year or so, she was drawn to football. 

"At this point, I’d been out of coaching for several years and didn’t have the confidence to take on a team of my own, so I watched as Tiana played for Downend Flyers FC who were brilliant and brought Tiana’s passion for the game to the surface and really helped her develop as a player.

"We’re from Yate and Tiana goes to school with a few of the girls locally, so wanted to see if we could play football in Yate.

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"At this point, the only girls football team locally was St Nicks, so we got in touch with the club and they invited us along - Tiana loved it!

"Her confidence grew and she was growing as a player.

"After playing there for a year, I asked the question of Yate United, a club I played at as a youth player at U14, as to why they didn’t have a girls’ section?

"I was explained that it’s something the club had spoken about for a while but it was difficult finding someone to take the growth of the girls section on

"And so we registered the first ever Yate United girls team there and then - history was made.

"I’m now coach to an amazing, enthusiastic and bright bunch of girls who all have a spark that me and my fellow coaches (Levi and Dave) now have the responsibility to ignite and grow to help the girls become not only the best footballers they can but the best team mates and people they can be. 

"The female game is growing so quickly right now and the football community as a whole has the obligation to ensure that all players, regardless of gender, have the opportunity to play equal game time and have fair access to quality facilities and coaches who care about their future."

Tiana said:  “I love playing football, I enjoy the running around and getting to see my friends.

"I like tackling and think I’m pretty good at it.

"I like shooting as well and I like running with the ball and taking on other players, especially my older brothers. 

"I’m so excited to be a part of our brand new team, we already have some really good players and all the girls are really nice."

Anyone who wishes to know more about the club, they can get in touch via email at info@yateunitedfc.co.uk