Through our ever-strengthening partnership with Barnsley FC Ladies, Barnsley Football Club defenders Matt Mills and Zeki Fryers showed their support at Oakwell alongside representatives of each age level.

Barnsley FC Ladies is a fully integrated female club with performance-based and developmental objectives. The club provides a high-quality footballing experience for local female players as well as a first team capable of challenging the very best sides in the country.

Barnsley FC Ladies was established in 1986  and now compete in the  FA Women’s Premier League Northern Division 1, with the reserves contesting Division One of the Sheffield & Hallamshire Women’s County League.

In partnership with Reds in the Community and operating out of the heart of the Oakwell, the Club provides outstanding training and match facilities for any aspiring young female footballer as well as excellent coaching from a superb team of qualified staff.

The club aims to develop players through their junior development teams through to the first-team level as well as providing appropriate, alternative exit routes for players when necessary.

The ethos of the junior teams is to offer opportunities to all girls regardless of ability and ethical background. There are currently nine junior teams starting at Under 9 through to Under 16. The junior teams play grassroots football in the Sheffield and Hallamshire Girls County League and are one of the largest clubs in the league boosting over 90 junior players.

Lucy Turner, Barnsley FC Ladies first team captain and Level 1 Course Leader for Reds in the Community said.

“It was fantastic that Matt and Zeki could come and show their support for our Barnsley FC Ladies set-up here at Oakwell, this can help us gain increased exposure and profile of the women’s team.

“We want to be able to showcase the quality of football that we can deliver on the pitch.

“Sometimes, you hear people say they don’t like women’s football, but it turns out they’ve not seen a game. We’ve had supporters of the men’s team come to a women’s game once and become regulars!”

Centre back Mills is delighted that the partnership can continue between RITC and Barnsley FC Ladies.

He added: “The women’s game is as a whole is massively underrated. Through the partnership with Reds in the Community and the support of first team players in the public eye, we hope they can continue to gain much deserved recognition for the players here at Barnsley FC Ladies at all levels.

For further information about Barnsley Ladies FC and how you can get involved contact via their Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/barnsleyladiesfc/