U's receive funding boost.
Colchester United's Football in the Community coaches will be helping to grow participation in female football, thanks to funding provided by the Premier League.
The U's FITC team will be working in four secondary schools across the local area thanks to £10,000 given to run the Premier League Girls programme.
The aim of this programme is to increase participation in Women's and Girls football, while offering opportunities of exit routes into grassroots teams.
With females from the ages of 11-16 accessing these weekly sessions, pupils at Thurstable School, Harwich and Dovercourt School, New Rickstones Academy and Manningtree High School will receive sessions delivered for 30 weeks.
Ben Elmer of Colchester United Football in the Community said: “"In the first six weeks of the programme, we have delivered sessions to over 100 girls.
“As well as the delivery in schools, we are starting a 16+ indoor female Soccersize session from 24th January at Shrub End, which will also be delivered for 30 weeks free of charge.
“We are very excited about the opportunities on offer with Premier League Girls and can’t wait to get started.”
Within this time the girls will get opportunities to take part in tournaments and visit the Weston Homes Community Stadium to watch Colchester United first team games.
U’s first team squad member and Premier League Girls programme ambassador Drey Wright added: “It’s great to see that so many young female footballers will get the opportunity to get coaching in the next few months.
“I’m looking forward to visiting the coaching sessions and to welcoming the girls who are taking part to the stadium to watch us play a competitive match.
“I hope that all involved have a great time.”