Fire and Rescue Service seeking female firefighters through football and futsal

A female five-a-side futsal tournament has been staged to encourage young women to get fit and consider a career as a firefighter.

Run in conjunction with the Beds FA, Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service staff have been trained as football coaches to help create futsal teams in schools and colleges which will then all compete in a grand final on Wednesday 28th April.

The final will be held at the Barker’s Lane sports stadium in Bedford with special presentations being held afterwards at the community fire station across the road.

Project coordindator on behalf of BLFRS has been Watch Commander Matt Cross: “We have had a lot of support from firefighters, from BLFRS principal officers, from the Beds FA and from local schools, colleges and clubs. We expect to have ten teams competing in the final.

“We are always trying to encourage women to think about a career in the fire and rescue service and we hope this activity will help them to make that choice.

“Being role models for fitness is also important for firefighter who want to help young people avoid the health problems which can come with a lack of exercise.”

Those taking part in the games so far have been girls aged 14 upwards who are interested in football and find futsal an exciting variation of the “beautiful game”.

The training of BLFRS staff as football coaches has allowed them to support various other soccer events involving young people in Bedfordshire and Luton.

BLFRS has a track record of supporting football teams and tournaments with a view to passing community fire safety messages on to children and their families and young people.

A major Faith Football tournament in Luton has twice resulted in a grand final at Luton Town FC with firefighters competing against a top squad of local soccer stars.

Firefighters also referee and run the line at a Nacro football tournament in Houghton Regis each year.

Chief Fire Officer Paul Fuller said: “Promoting fitness among young people is something which our firefighters can do by example.

“We also believe that encouraging young people to play team sports is a good way of them learning to work together while enjoying themselves.

“At the same time we hope to get across some messages to them about home fire safety and taking care on the roads, particularly those who are teenage drivers.

“"The female futsal tournament is great for appealing to all those young women who are interested in football and fitness and who we want to encourage to become firefighters."

Kick off 3 pm - 6pm followed by presentation at Bedford Fire Station in Barker's Lane.
Organiser Matt Cross at BLFRS 07841 096972