GIRLS are on the ball after completing a ten week after-school football coaching scheme.

Pupils from Leyland's Woodlea, Moss Side, Seven Stars and Northbrook primary schools took part in the sessions which were introduced by South Ribble Council to encourage girls to take up sports traditionally more popular with the boys.

The scheme ended last week with a tournament at Leyland Leisure Centre, Lancastergate, on Thursday, February 6 won by the Woodlea team.

David Finch who ran the coaching sessions has been delighted with their enthusiasm and skills and is now preparing to start a regular soccer coaching club at the centre open to all girls in the borough aged under 11, starting today on Thursday, February 13. He said:"We've really just been starting with basic skills, passing and shooting.

"I think they have had the opportunity to learn something and playing against each other, rather than with boys, has been good for their confidence."

David, 24, studied Sports Science at the University of Central Lancashire and has been coaching for nearly six years and trains students at the university and at the Lancashire Football Association's headquarters in Leyland.

The girls' soccer coaching club will take place every Thursday at Leyland Leisure Centre starting at 3.45pm. For a registration form ring 625352.