York is to host a girls' football taster day next month as part of a nationwide initiative to make it the top female sport in the country by 2004.

The 'come and try it' day will be held on July 1 at a venue yet to be announced.

Organised by City of York Council and the North Riding County Football Association, it will be open to girls aged eight to 16.

They hope to attract more than 150 youngsters to take part, as well as getting mums involved.

The day will take the form of a coaching session followed by a five-a-side tournament.

It is one of a series of events taking part around the region as part of the FA's Girls Football 2001 initiative in the north.

The scheme kicks off in Leeds tomorrow with a girls' football festival at the West Riding County FA. Girls will be coached by professionals with the opportunity to play and learn new skills.

The Girls Football 2001 festivals are designed to increase awareness and participation in women's football, coinciding with the England senior team's participation in the European Championships (June 23 to July 7) when they face Russia, Sweden and Germany.

Hope Powell, the England Women's coach said: "These are exciting times for women's football. Girls are discovering the fitness, fun, skill and passion involved in the game and we hope that even more girls will embrace the sport to make women's football the top female sport in this country and set the standard for England's future stars."

The FA's Girls Football 2001 will encompass two types of events.

There will be a series of ten major regional festivals and more than 200 local events, including the York day, arranged by the FA in conjunction with counties, local authorities, councils, schools and clubs.

Julie Chipchase, Girls and Women's Football Development Officer for the West Riding County FA said: "Women's Football is officially the fastest growing sport in the country.

"The FA's aim is to establish a professional women's football league by 2003 and for women's football to become the top female sport by 2004.

"With girls taking part in the festival from all over, we hope that Girls Football 2001 will encourage even more girls to become involved."

Updated: 12:19 Friday, June 22, 2001