Calling Women Aged 35 and Over!
As the profile of women’s football in England continues to grow, the impact of the Lionesses in recent years has fuelled the ‘want’ for women aged 35+ to play football in an environment they are comfortable with.
Over the past 20 months, the Women’s Over 35s programme has continued to gather momentum providing opportunities for women to play across Cumberland against women closer to their age. More than 120 women have taken part in sessions during this time and the Facebook group has welcomed almost 200 women from across the County as we continue to build up a network of women interested in playing.
Helen Aitchison, Women and Girls Football Development Officer 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; and continue to build a network of interested women to further develop this area of the game. This is a perfect opportunity for women of this age to get some ‘me time’.”
In September, the first ever competition for Women aged 35 and over in the County took place with 10 teams taking part (read about it HERE) and a further festival took place in November providing playing opportunities for women in the ‘veterans’ age group.
2025
With support from volunteers across the county, we’re delighted to confirm 12 sessions for women to ‘Just Turn Up and Play’ with kickabouts taking place in Brampton, Carlisle, Penrith and Workington!
The sessions are planned from January to April with opportunities for teams to enter 3 events during this time. Teams can be made up from groups of friends, existing teams, players coming back into the game, as well as from mums, aunties, sisters and grannies of youth team players… the more the merrier!
With the New Year fast approaching, check out the ‘dates for the diaries’ and get them on your new 2025 calendar early to avoid any double booking!
Sessions can be booked using The FA’s online Book Football platform – click on the relevant links below:
Brampton
Sunday 5 January 2025: 2 – 3:30pm - William Howard School Sports Hall
Wednesday 15 January 2025: 8 – 9pm - William Howard School Sports Hall
Wednesday 29 January 2025: 8 – 9pm - William Howard School Sports Hall
Wednesday 12 February 2025: 8 – 9pm - William Howard School Sports Hall
Wednesday 12 March: 8 – 9pm - William Howard School Sports Hall
We are looking to support the set-up of a regular Over 35 group for women 'East of Carlisle' to get together, have some fun having a kick about and look to enter some Over 35 events across the County (5a-side). If you’re intrigued and would like a bit more information or express an interest, please CLICK HERE
Carlisle
Sunday 26 January 2025 - 14:00 - 15:30 - Harraby 3G
Sunday 16 February 2025 - 14:00 - 15:30 - Harraby 3G
Sunday 06 April 2025 - 14:00 - 15:30 - Harraby 3G
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Penrith
Sunday 2 March 2025 – 2 – 3:30pm – Penrith AFC
This session will be led by ladies from Calthwaite Women – when you click on the above link you can see other sessions available to get involved more regularly in Penrith!
Workington
Sunday 19 January 2025 - 10:30 - 12:00 - Workington Academy 3G
Sunday 9 February 2025 - 10:30 - 12:00 - Workington Academy 3G
Sunday 9 March 2025 - 10:30 - 12:00 - Workington Academy 3G (TBC)
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
We’re hoping to confirm more dates for Whitehaven too, but in the meantime we’re encouraging women to attend the Workington Just Play sessions!
There are also two weekly Women’s Walking Football Sessions across Cumberland. In Carlisle and Workington.
Find the details on our Walking Football page HERE
Women’s Competitions / Festivals
Sunday 2 February 2025: Westmorland FA Festival at Dallam School 3G – for more details and to register click HERE
Sunday 16 March 2025: The Nat Broad Physiotherapy Over 35s Cup – 1-4pm at Penrith AFC
Sunday 27 April 2025: Festival sponsored by Nat Broad Physiotherapy – 4-6pm at Penrith AFC
Sunday 13 July 2025: Euro Celebration Tournament - 11am - 1pm at Penrith AFC (3G)
[5 a-side (squads of 8) - £20 per team]
[Enter BEFORE 5 March 2025 for the March date]
Enter as an individual and we will see if we can put some teams together
Nat Broad Physiotherapy offer a range of holistic physiotherapy services from physiotherapy assessments and sports massage to acupuncture helping you to tackle those muscular and skeletal issues and help to get you feeling like you again. Visit the website here.
If you’re interested in setting up a session across Cumberland, please contact Helen.Aitchison@CumberlandFA.com as support can be provided with the set up and promotion (including some funding and kit/equipment).
With more women aged 35 and over getting involved it’s a perfect time to step back onto the pitch for a kick about and most importantly for some ‘me time’!
- Images courtesy of MLP Photography