Chiswick & Kew Swans FC is opening on Monday, 26 February to offer women in the area the chance to 'learn or return to football in a welcoming environment.'

Due to the early success of the Twickenham Swans, the ambition for the club is to expand to neighbouring areas with Chiswick & Kew chosen as the first location to open at the end of February with more venues set to open in Spring.

The club says although the growth of female football continues to accelerate, most females over the age of 25 never had the same chances to play and participate as are available today.

That is why the aim of the Swans football programme is to provide an opportunity for this age group to play and help reduce the risk of this group becoming a lost generation, the club says.

Laura, Twickenham Swans FC player, says: "After years of cheerleading from the sidelines, it's great to finally make it on to the pitch with a bunch of like-minded mums who want to have fun, stay active and show their daughters that they can play too".

Swans FC was initially piloted in Twickenham and now regularly attracts close to 50 players over its two weekly sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Swans FC is opening another team in Chiswick & Kew next week (credit: Swans FC).

"The impact the sessions are having on women aged over 30 is undeniable. We congratulate everyone involved in the Swans football programme in creating better and equal opportunities for all", says Kate Wells, Football Development Officer at Middlesex FA.

The sessions attract a broad spectrum of players including women who have never played before; women who have played before but dropped out of the sport due to changes in lifestyle and life stage; players in 3rd level education unable to access the sometimes limited female offer at their various universities and finally parents of youth footballers keen to better understand the game their children play and to help support their knowledge of the game as managers and coaches.

Eamonn Newell, Founder of Swans FC says: "Having created a club for young girls that prides itself on its inclusive philosophy, we felt the natural progression was to extend this to a wider female audience and have been amazed at the level of interest so far. We are excited to open more opportunities to play".

The sessions are open to women aged 18 to 81+ with no previous experience necessary.

Anyone interested in attending should register on the website www.swansfootball.co.uk or contact [email protected]