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Football boom in Hamm: record number of new girls' teams!
On November 6th, 2025, the FLVW reported an increase of 397 children's and youth soccer teams in the Unna-Hamm soccer district.
Football boom in Hamm: record number of new girls' teams!
There is good news in the football scene of the Westphalia Football and Athletics Association (FLVW): the number of children's and youth teams is on the rise, especially in girls' football. WA reports that the FLVW has seen a surge of 397 new teams this season. This is the fifth consecutive increase and a significant improvement compared to last season's 257 new teams. Holger Bellinghoff, vice president for youth football, highlights that this trend is particularly visible in the junior age group, where almost 1,000 teams compete.
In the Unna-Hamm football district, an additional 48 teams have been added compared to last season. This contributes to the almost doubled number of girls' teams, which shows the great interest in football and the efforts to develop new concepts. Thomas Trahe, the chairman of the district youth committee, explains that they want to increase the attractiveness of football through innovations. However, there is a downside: While the juniors are growing strongly, the B-juniors are recording a decline. According to Bellinghoff, this could be due to a combination of low birth rates and different interests of young people.
Challenges in gaming operations
The increasing number of teams also brings challenges. It is becoming more difficult to find enough referees, especially in the lower D and C junior leagues. The FLVW has lost over 100 referees, although there is a glimmer of hope in sight as the trend is pointing upwards again. However, compared to other football districts in the core Ruhr area, the Unna-Hamm district is confronted with a good range of sports facilities.
Another positive aspect is the general popularity of women's football. According to an analysis by Statista There are around 100,000 active female players and 107,000 girls up to the age of 16 who play football in Germany. This increase will certainly also be supported by the successful UEFA Women's EURO 2025 and increased media attention for women's football, which contributes to the increasing number of players and teams.
Growing youth football culture
The FLVW has seen strong growth in youth teams in recent years. There was particularly pleasing growth in the age groups up to U13, while the junior teams grew by 79 teams. Compared to last season, a lot has improved in this area. FLVW emphasizes that new forms of play in children's football play a crucial role in making it easier to get started with football and promoting fun.
Overall, it can be said that the football landscape in the FLVW is flourishing, especially in the younger age groups and in girls' football. While the challenges that come with growth cannot be ignored, the future of football in the region looks promising.