The Football Association (FA) has reaffirmed its commitment to double the number of female footballers over the next four years after its October Girls’ Football Week attracted 80,000 participants.

The figure was four times the original target, and significantly more than the 50,000 that took part over a similar week in April.

Around 150,000 women and girls play for affiliated football clubs in England, and FA head of women’s football Sue Campbell said that the growth seen during Girls’ Football Week suggested that the ambition to double that number was feasible.

“These figures demonstrate what a huge appetite there is for women and girls to play football when they are given the opportunity,” said Campbell.

“We’ve committed to doubling female participation by 2020 and weeks like this will go a long way to us attracting more players into the game and building the momentum we will need to achieve that.”