Girls-only or mixed?
Both are proper options.
A girls-only team means she plays with and against girls. A mixed team means she plays alongside boys, which is permitted in England from Under 7 to Under 18 and up to different ages elsewhere in the UK.
If you filter for girls' teams you will see clubs that run them specifically. If your daughter is happy in a mixed team, a wider set of clubs is open to her, so it is worth searching both ways before deciding.
Our guide to girls' grassroots football covers how long mixed football runs in each UK nation, how girls' competition is organised, and what to ask a club.
What to check before you get in touch
Two questions matter more than anything else on a listing.
- Does the club run a team at your daughter's age group this season? It is also worth asking whether the club has girls' teams above and below that age, particularly if you are hoping to stay with the same club for several seasons.
- Is there space? Availability can change through the season, so contact more than one club.
If a listing does not show what you need, contact the club directly.
If there is no girls' team near you
A mixed team is a genuine option within the age limits. It is also worth asking whether a local club would consider starting a girls' team if there is enough interest. And national beginner programmes take girls from the age of five, including girls-only sessions in England.
Our guide on when a child can start playing football covers those programmes, and the girls' football guide covers the rest.
Girls' tournaments and camps
You can also search girls' tournaments, festivals and camps by age and location. Camps can be a useful way to try more football without committing to a club for a season. Tournaments and festivals are usually entered by teams, so check the individual listing for who can take part.
Common questions
What age can my daughter start?
National beginner programmes take children from five across the UK. Club age groups start at different points depending on the nation, which the starting-age guide sets out.
Does she have to play in a girls-only team?
No. Mixed football is permitted in England from Under 7 to Under 18, and the girls' football guide covers the position in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
She has never played. Will a club take her?
Ask whether the club welcomes beginners and whether she can come to a session before committing.
Do you list every girls' team?
No. We list the clubs we have, and our coverage is stronger in some areas than others. If a club near you is missing, tell us and we will check it.