Girls across Coventry and Warwickshire are receiving specialised coaching in the countdown to the start of the Legacy League.

The Ricoh Arena and Coventry City Council initiated the Legacy League to encourage more girls to start playing football as a lasting legacy of hosting 12 men's and women's Olympic football matches at the City of Coventry Stadium during London 2012.

Sky Blues in the Community has started running six weeks of coaching at seven schools after receiving grants from CSW Sport who administer Sportivate which is a £32 million National Lottery programme to give 14-to-25-year-olds access to courses in a range of sports.

Coaches are currently holding sessions at Tile Hill Wood School and Language College, Lyng Hall School and Specialist Sports College, Coleshill School, Foxford School, Coundon Court School, President Kennedy School and Community College and Cardinal Newman Catholic School.

David Busst, head of Sky Blues in the Community, said "The Legacy League was set up to encourage even more girls to play football and to maintain their interest in the sport after the Olympic Games has finished by helping to ensure there are plenty of teams to play matches against.

"The feedback from the training has been positive and the numbers of girls attending the sessions is increasing each week.

"We have been impressed by the standard that has been shown at the schools in Coventry and Warwickshire and as we build towards London 2012, the excitement will grow."

Matt Brown from Coleshill School, who is also a striker for Bedworth United, said the year nine and ten students were improving week by week thanks to the coaching sessions and support from PE teacher Emma Bush.

"We played in a schools tournament at North Warwickshire and Hinckley College for year ten students last year and won so there is definitely a high standard among the girls here," he said.

For more information on hospitality tickets, starting from only £30, for the 12 Olympic football matches at the City of Coventry Stadium which gets underway on July 25, please log onto www.ricoharena.com and for more details on the Legacy League please call 0844 873 6323.