Pupils come together to celebrate girls’ football skills and achievements
We kicked off our Girls’ Football Week celebrations early by bringing together nine of the Trust’s schools for our inaugural Girls’ Football Competition on Friday 20 April.
A total of 102 goals were scored as nine schools gathered at Manchester City FC’s City Football Academy to celebrate the Trust’s designation as an FA Girls’ Football Hub and, more importantly, the positive impact of this on our female pupils.
The event saw around 90 Year 7 and Year 8 pupils from our schools meet up for a day of football in a friendly, competitive environment. In the shadow of the Ethihad stadium, the teams took part in a league-style competition of 10 minute matches.
Our special guest, former Everton FC and England goalkeeper Rachel Brown-Finnis, shared some words of inspiration and encouragement with our future women’s football stars, before presenting them with their certificates and medals.
At the end of a fantastic day of grassroots football, it was the team from Laisterdyke Leadership Academy, Bradford that took home the trophy, after beating Highfield Leadership Academy, Blackpool in a tense final that ended 2-1 after extra time. Congratulations to the team, captained by Year 8 pupil Kirah Scott.
Kirah said:
“It was a brilliant day. We all enjoyed playing against other Star schools and making new friends. Obviously winning was the best bit!”
The Trust’s Head of Pupil Leadership Specialism Kate Hebden commented:
“We are very proud to be an FA Girls’ Football Hub and pleased to see that the programmes our teachers are delivering are having a real impact on the number of girls playing football across the Trust’s schools. The event was a celebration of how the Trust’s schools have really stepped up their participation in girls’ football this year. It gave our pupils a platform to showcase their skills, as well as an opportunity to demonstrate the Trust’s STAR values of service, teamwork, ambition and respect.
“It’s great that our pupils came together with a common love of the game, sharing experiences of their football training from the past few months. Many of them have completed the FA’s Game Of Our Own programme which is helping them to develop essential life skills which are useful both on and off the pitch.
“It was a fantastic day to be a part of. We couldn’t believe our luck with the warm, sunny weather and it was the icing on the cake to have former Lioness Rachel Brown-Finnis visit and spend so much time chatting to our pupils.”
Rachel Brown-Finnis commented:
“What a brilliant event! It was great to see so many smiling faces and there was just the right balance between the girls enjoying themselves and being competitive.
“It’s great that so many girls are being given the chance to get involved in the game. It’s so important to facilitate a girls’ football programme like this that gives them the chance to try something new. The FA recognises the impact of physical activity on confidence and self-esteem, as well as skills development.
“The Trust did an amazing job of bringing together girls from their schools across the country. I found it very inspirational to see so many girls from different backgrounds playing together – for me that was very positive to see. Whatever background these young people are from, it’s important to give them the opportunity. Football is for everyone, after all.”
Star was the first multi-academy trust to become as an FA Girls’ Area Hub in the autumn of 2017. As such we are part of a network of organisations that support and deliver girls’ football across England. As a hot spot for growth and development of girls’ football, the Trust Area Hub is committed to working with the FA to change perceptions and social barriers to participation and to create a strong, inclusive and engaging programme of activities.
Added By: Claire Tulloch | Date Added: 24th Apr 2018 | Posted In: Latest News