A women's football club has been awarded a £6,000 grant to boost its teams in Wimbledon.

AFC Wimbledon Ladies & Girls will receive money from the 'Grow the Game' initiative over three years.

It means the team can add a further three girls teams next season, one for under 10's and two for under 11's.

Gareth Southgate, England Men’s Manager and Football Foundation Ambassador, said: “I am so pleased that AFC Wimbledon Ladies & Girls has secured this Grow the Game grant.

"The club has worked very hard with the London FA, Surrey FA and the Football Foundation to get more local people playing football so that they can enjoy the many physical and mental benefits that come with playing regular sport."

The grant is a £2.5m programme funded by the Football Association and the Football Foundation. It awards grants to grassroots football clubs that wish to create new teams, especially amongst under-represented groups.

Mr Southgate said: "This is money that is flowing from the very top of the game down to the lowest levels, to help clubs at the grassroots to bear the cost of starting up a new team, whether it be for a new kit, pitch hire or sending volunteers on FA accredited coaching courses.”

Dennis Lowndes, AFC Wimbledon Ladies & Girls Chairman, said: I would like to thank the Football Foundation’s Grow the Game initiative for their recognition of AFC Wimbledon Ladies & Girl’s development over the last 10 years.

"This grant helps us to increase our girls section by adding a further three teams and brings our Club size to 13 girls teams and three ladies teams, showing that girls football in England is expanding at a rapid rate.

"This is another big step for our club and one I am very proud of, as it is important to continue offering football opportunities to the younger age groups."