Luxembourg girls' day

Each of UEFA's 54 member national associations is working hard to entice girls and women to become involved in football – Luxembourg was among the latest to show its dedication to developing women's football by organising a successful Girls' Day.

Despite unfavourable weather, 55 girls came to the Luxembourg Football Federation's (FLF) National Training Centre in Mondercange. They were given expert training and advice during the day by the association's national coaches, members of its women's football committee and players from the senior, Under-17 and U15 women's teams. The Girls' Day also allowed the youngsters the chance to play in mini-tournaments and test their skills.

The event was open to girls born between 2000 and 2005, who took up the FLF's invitation to enjoy a day showing their passion for the game. They also had the opportunity to have their photos taken with national-team players, and left Mondercange with a bag full of souvenirs including T-shirts and national-team tops.

Women's football is flourishing in Luxembourg, as it is across Europe, thanks to the cooperation between UEFA and the national associations under the UEFA women's football development programme (WFDP). There are 43 clubs in the Grand Duchy, as well as nearly 1,800 registered players, a ten-club Women's First League and two other divisions, with a domestic cup competition providing a further occasion for success at national level.

In March this year, the FLF launched its championship for girls born between 1999 and 2003, with six sides entering the competition. This season sees nine teams of girls born between 1999 and 2004 setting off on a new campaign. A futsal tournament for women players is also to be staged in 2014 as part of future activities, and the FLF is hoping to arrange a women's football seminar in the coming months.