Members of Southampton FC's Women’s first team and staff have given AFC Stoneham Youth Under-12s team a two-hour exclusive training session.

The coaching stint, which took place at Southampton FC’S Staplewood Training Ground in Marchwood, was a prize won by Barratt Homes at the Saints Foundation’s fundraising dinner last year.

The Pumas, part of a club that now has 113 teams of varied ages and abilities, had the opportunity to learn from Women’s Technical Coach, Lauren Phillips.

Daily Echo: The coaching stint, which took place at Southampton FC’S Staplewood Training Ground in Marchwood, was a prize won by Barratt HomesThe coaching stint, which took place at Southampton FC’S Staplewood Training Ground in Marchwood, was a prize won by Barratt Homes (Image: Supplied)

First-team striker Emma Thompson and goalkeeper Benedicte Haland joined the training, blunting or bolstering the girls’ skills in their specialist areas.

The 13 young girls participated in drills that honed defensive and offensive techniques, took part in mini-matches and rounded off the day with a Q&A session with Emma and Benedicte.

Pumas’ manager, Carl Nichols, said: "To have this opportunity is something our girls will always remember. It was a brilliant afternoon. A huge thank you to Lauren, Emma and Benedicte, and to Saints Foundation and Barratt Homes for making it happen. 

Daily Echo: Two players from the Women's First Team, striker Emma Thompson and goalkeeper Benedicte Haland, were there on the day.Two players from the Women's First Team, striker Emma Thompson and goalkeeper Benedicte Haland, were there on the day. (Image: Supplied)

"England’s Lionesses have given our young girls superb role models to look up to, and to meet some of the great women playing football so close to home, has been a real inspiration for our players."

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Olivia Ashcroft, partnerships executive at Saints Foundation, said: "Graciously donated by our outstanding Women and Girls' Football Department, this unique experience was auctioned off at the 2023 Saints Foundation Charity Dinner. Barratt Homes generously secured the prize, and we were delighted to hear that the developer chose to gift it to AFC Stoneham Youth U12s. 

Daily Echo: AFC Stoneham Youth U12sAFC Stoneham Youth U12s (Image: Supplied)

"It was a joy to watch these young girls have an experience of a lifetime and learn from inspiring role models in women's football. A huge thank you to Barratt Homes for its generous donation and for making it possible for these young female players to benefit from this incredible opportunity."

The AFC Stoneham club, active since 1919, has seen significant growth of female teams in recent years, surging from just one team five years ago to 25 currently, making this training session a particularly welcomed reward as the club looks to further develop the girls' side of the sport.