Nottingham graduates set to expand football five-a-side business

Female-only football is making its return to Powerleague clubs across Nottingham and now Birmingham as Female Football Fives sets its sights on major UK expansion.

Starting from Monday 7 September, women and girls of all ages and abilities can play in the weekly Female Football Fives league, with each season running for a total of 10 weeks. There will be three seasons spread throughout the year providing the opportunity to play all year round. Female footballers can enter as part of a team or as an individual to be placed within an existing team, with the option to join either the main league or a separate grade for beginners and those over 30.

Created in 2016 by Nottingham Trent University graduates Katie Gibson and Rhearna Bennett, Female Football Fives has undergone huge growth in popularity since then with over 15 female-only teams playing on a weekly basis in Nottingham. The pair has now expanded the concept into Birmingham, with further plans to reach other cities throughout the UK in the not so distant future.

Female Football Fives co-founder Katie Gibson said: “We established Female Football Fives to provide opportunities for women and girls to play football in a fun, social and non-intimidating environment. We could never have anticipated how popular it would become, but it just goes to show there truly was a need and a desire for something like this within the football community.”

Fellow co-founder Rhearna Bennett said: “It’s incredible to see so many women and girls turning up each week to keep fit, have fun and catch up with their mates all whilst playing five aside. We can’t wait to welcome Birmingham ladies to the Female Football Fives community and more throughout the rest of the country very soon.”

Female Football Fives has partnered with Powerleague and Nottinghamshire Football Association to facilitate the league’s return which will see games played on Monday evenings from 6.30pm. Each game will be 40 minutes long, with 20 minutes for each half.

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