A mother who is encouraging more girls to get into football has been awarded coach of the year.

Claire Hendry, of Croxley Green, was recognised last month at the Football Association’s annual community awards ceremony held in Hitchin.

The mum-of-three played football for a number of years but noticed the lack of female players coming through the system to play as adults.

She took on the job of helping to set up the girls division at Evergreen Football Club, in Abbots Langley, and she now coaches girls from the ages of four to 10.

Ms Hendry said: ‘It’s so important to instil in girls a love of sport from a young age and it’s great to see their confidence develop.

“Football is slowly changing but we still have a lot of work to do to make the game as accessible as possible for everyone.’

Ian Turner, the Youth Secretary at Evergreen football club, also won an award for 50 years of service to grassroots football.

If you have a daughter or son who is interested in playing football, contact Evergreen youth secretary Ian Turner on ianfvturner@yahoo.co.uk.