TWENTY women and girls have graduated from the County Durham's first women-only football coaching course.

The sessions were organised by Derwentside Leisure with Durham FA and took place in Stanley Youth Centre.

Sports development officer Colin McBride said: "If girls' and women's football is going to achieve long-term sustainability, we need a steady supply of good quality female coaches. This is the first step towards that goal."

Those identified with the most potential are already being put forward for the senior coaching course. "Women and girls are still under-represented in football and female coaches also provide good role models for younger kids," said Mr McBride.

PE teachers in Derwentside's secondary schools have received training from the sports development team, to help deliver a massive Junior Football Organiser programme.

Girls aged 14 to 16 will get basic coaching skills and will provide assistant coaches when girls football is launched in the district's primary schools next year.

"The scheme works well because it puts the girls on the first rung to becoming coaches, while helping out the primary schools," said Mr McBride.

The district has already produced one of football's brightest prospects in goalkeeper Carly Telford. The 16-year-old, of Newburn Road, Stanley, has already played for England under-16s and earlier this year travelled to Germany with the national under-19s squad for a European tournament.

Her father, Colin, is chairman of the Derwentside Women's Football Action Group, which is working with Mr McBride to boost the sport. Further FA coaching courses are planned for next year.

Anyone interested in this or any other aspect of female football is asked to contact Mr McBride on (01207) 218527.