If the smiling, yet tired faces, of young female footballers are anything to go by WaiBOP Football has scored a comprehensive goal in helping promote the game to the next generation.

During the current school holidays WaiBOP Football are taking its skills and fun base games on the road, drumming up support for the female version of the game – stopping in Tauranga today.

Sophie Macken, 8, and Mackenzie Bryant, 7.

WaiBOP Football women's development officer Holly Nixon says 38 girls, aged between 6-12years, registered for the event at Tauranga Girls' College, part of five regional roadshow stops.

Following a stop in Taupo yesterday, it heads to Raglan tomorrow, and Rotorua next Tuesday, along with a popular stop in Hamilton.

'Thirty-eight is a really good number, because our target has been 15 in the smaller regions - like Rotorua, Taupo and Raglan,” says Holly.

'Hamilton was madness. We got up to 60 so we had to close it due to space.”

The 9am-3pm sessions are designed for girls of all abilities in the age bracket, with an emphasis on fun but also formal play and skill development.

Along with a number of drill/game based activities, participants also split into teams for a mini World Cup to conclude the action packed day.

'It is just about teaching them things without them knowing it.”

An age where it is vital not only to pass on skills but entice future players – to give female football a sporting chance.

'There is a big emphasis on fun and getting them hooked on the game.

'Its [female popularity] is growing in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty. We are trying to get a girls only emphasis to compete against the likes of all the other female sports.”

Holly says this is the first time the organisation has run these sessions and so far they are proving beneficial and worthwhile.

Albeit it leaving the girls with tired legs after a big day.

'We had a few tears yesterday it was quite funny just because some of the girls were knackered at the end of it.

'This is the first time we have done it so we have had some happy faces yesterday which is good.”

Jorja McKeown, 9, Isla Willacy, 9, Meg Harray, 9, and Mya Brickley, 11.