While the AFC Wimbledon men prepare to do battle in the League Two play-offs, the club is continuing its battle to get more women playing the game.

Their efforts were boosted last weekend when the AFC Wimbledon Foundation held a session for the over-30s in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

Foundation coach Emma O'Connor has signed up around 20 players – who recently took on Crawley Old Girls and won 3-0 – meaning it is a far cry from earlier this season when just one or two women would turn up.

The sessions target Dons season ticket holders as they are staged before AFC Wimbledon first-team home fixtures.

Nicol Meredith, the Football League Trust’s female development officer, said: “It’s a generation that got missed and we are trying to pick that up and give them the opportunity.

Wimbledon Times:

In the action: AFC Wimbledon ladies take on Crawley Old Girls

“They are watching football every week and they are interested. We know there is an audience there so let’s just get them playing.

“Contact your local football club and get involved because football is such a fun and social sport. We need to get out there and really sell it.”

Jo Potten is a regular participant and she has really enjoyed the sessions.

"With my busy lifestyle of being a full-time mother to five children, I never get the time to exercise.

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“ The whole family are season ticket holders so on a match day we are all here, therefore the session fits in perfect and gives me time away to get fit and meet new people.”

AFC Wimbledon Foundation’s executive director Key Skelton said: “We very much do what it says on the tin as we are about the community.

“We want our community to be active and enjoy coming to the game. This brings it all together.”

The ladies only sessions for over-30s will be continuing next season, for more information email femalefootball@afcwimbledonfoundation.org.uk or contact Emma O’Connor on 07824 536545.

Meanwhile, the Dons Foundation has also been celebrating after 162 girls enjoyed FA Girls Football Week with tournaments, taster sessions and girls’ only sessions.

Dons star Will Nightingale and Watford Ladies player Stacie Donnelly made an appearance at one of the tournaments, conducting a Q&A with all the players and giving out the awards to the winners from Gillingham Academy Ladies.

Click here for an interview with Nightingale.