What 20 years of coaching girls' football in Yorkshire has taught me: Tony Gill

I said yes as I believe everybody should be able to try anything they want.

As a result, I ended up starting a football team in 2004.

At the first training session there was 21 of them aged between six and nine and I was blown away.

I never thought it would last but it has and this year I got to 500 games and two to three are still playing from that first session.

So looking back was it worth it all that sacrifice and heartache?

I have to say yes those girls have now blossomed into the most incredible bunch of ladies as well as some of them being fantastic mothers.

The skills they have developed have enabled many of them to progress to careers that will hold them in good stead.

The soft communication skills, the ability to be active listeners, the ability to problem solve, the ability to communicate with people of different age groups and different cultures have all helped them in their career paths.

Many have gone to University, gained first class honours degrees, achieved masters degree and a PhD.

We have schoolteachers, paramedics, medical staff all who use these skills everyday in their day to day lives.

The social support that they have developed by being part of a valued team has helped with individuals mental health, they have developed a non-judgemental approach to working with individuals and gained a belief that anything is possible.

Developing confidence to speak up and ask questions has given many confidence to undertake new and challenging roles such as working with children with challenging behaviours.

Some have taken their soft skills into mental health and used their communication and empathy to help others.

The importance of being valued as an individual should not be underestimated.

Every person who has come to play has been made to feel welcome as part of a family and this sense of belonging has given them scope to take that into their work and has given them increased self-esteem.

The simple belief that they can play football and can break down barriers encourages many of them to adopt that philosophy into their lives.

This has involved setting up football groups for younger children, inspiring other young girls to take up the challenge and giving them the choice of taking part where previously it was not offered.

From my perspective, I ask myself has it been worth it?

Would I go back and do it again?

The answer is very simple – yes.

I have seen so many blossom into wonderful, caring, supportive, confident young women who have gone on to help many others in many ways.

Every single one of them is inspirational.

Tony Gill is a Mental Health Nursing lecturer who lives in Yorkshire.

• To get involved with women’s and girls’ football, visit https://www.englandfootball.com/play/womens-and-girls-football