ILKLEY Town are holding a football tournament for girls as part of their opening celebrations for their 3G pitch.

It is on Monday, November 20 (5.30pm), and will be for eight to 11-year-olds.

The tournament is not only open to girls who have attended the school's training, but is open to anyone, whether they have played before or not.

There will be adult and junior coaches on hand for help and support, and the tournament will run alongside the regular training for older girls.

As a bonus, the first 14 girls to sign up to Ilkley Juniors will receive a free set of Nike kit.

Earlier this year, Ilkley Town won an FA ‘Grow the Game’ grant to support the expansion of girls' football in the town.

Club chairman Richard Giles said: "This is a great boost for Ilkley Town and enables us to support and train new coaches to offer girls-only football from age eight all the way through to adults.

"As a club, we are committed to both performance and inclusion, so we welcome all new players.

"The girls' game in Ilkley is now providing progression through play, as well as training, to become junior coaches and referees."

This term the project has focused on recruiting younger girls, with junior leaders running football-taster training in primary schools.

"The response has been fantastic", said girls' development officer Juliet Hammond.

"We’ve had ten to 15 girls in each of the three primary schools all discovering the fun of football.

"We hope to extend the training to other schools next season."