Mums on the ball

Sir Geoff Hurst was on hand to pose with the Premiership mums

The English, Scottish and Irish FA's and the Welsh Football Trust have launched a campaign to encourage and help mums become qualified grassroots football coaches for children.

The scheme is backed by McDonald's and aims to capitalise on research that shows 77% of mums already enjoy playing a hands-on role in their children's football.

Through the scheme there are 160 free places available for women throughout the country.

Premiership footballers whose mums are lending their support include Rio and Anton Ferdinand, Theo Walcott, Gareth Bale, Craig Gordon and Aaron Hughes.

Sir Trevor Brooking, The FA Director of Football Development, said: "The FA is committed to improving the standard of grassroots football and McDonald's community coaching programme, with its mission to create new qualified coaches, is helping to do this.

"We're delighted to support the Mums On The Ball campaign as it will encourage even more people to volunteer as coaches."