When we think of sports and sports stars, often it's the men's version of a game that springs to mind.

However, everyone enjoys playing sport for fun, especially football, which may soon eclipse rugby as our kids' preferred sport of choice.

Papamoa Football Club junior girls' coordinator Sue Tilby is hoping to promote the game by getting girls at school involved at lunchtime.

'It's a fantastic time for the growth of the female game, globally and nationally”

'Whilst the female game is growing there is still a conspicuous absence of girls on the playground playing football. Boys generally have more time on the ball on and off the field therefore develop a higher skill level,” she says. 'So we decided to start an ambassador programme to get girls into leadership roles and running games with each other.”

Papamoa Football Club provides the equipment, thanks to support from Papamoa Four Square. Year 5 and 6 girls are chosen to be ambassadors, with the programme starting at Golden Sands School on Tuesday.

'Part of their responsibilities are to encourage fair play, participation among the girls and take care of the equipment. They also have to set up the matches and run warm-up drills.”

She's hoping to grow the programme, with a Te Puke club member already expressing interest in bringing the programme to their local schools.

'Hopefully it will lead to more girls participating in the game of football and wanting to join a club.”

Anyone interested in bringing the programme to their school, or providing sponsorship, can contact Sue via email [email protected]