A record number of young female football enthusiasts signed-up to Oxford United in the Community’s Girls Only Holiday Camps at The Oxford Academy to mark half-term this week.

The football club’s official charity welcomed scores of youngsters to its inclusive camps which are open to players of all abilities and experiences and teach key skills which can be applied on and off the pitch.

Six-year-old Mei is now on her third girls only holiday camp this year.

Her father Keir said: “We took Mei down to the victory parade through town and when she saw the cup being held up on the top of the bus, her passion for football begun.

“The following day we signed her up for the Oxford United in the Community’s football camp and she loved it. She’s since joined Quarry Rovers and has her first tournament tomorrow. The coaches and team are brilliant, she loves the training drills.

“Mei had the opportunity to meet Amy Cranston via Her Game too at the training ground which in turn inspired her to join a team.”

As a bonus, each participant received one free adult and junior ticket for Oxford United Woman’s FA cup fixture against Actonians.

The offer was made possible thanks to Oxford United in the Community’s ongoing work with the women’s team and Her Game Too to inspire the next generation of female players and enhance playing and training provisions locally.

Kerrie Bates, Operations Administrator at Oxford United in the Community, added: “Girls only holiday camps are an important part of Oxford United in the Community’s strategy to ensure football is accessible to all.

We are looking to increase our offering of girls only courses over the next few years, to maintain girls participation in football and sport.

“A huge thank you to all the coaches who delivered on holiday camps this week, and to the parents who booked a course and we hope to see plenty of familiar faces back again very soon!”