Bernard Gilpin win chance to represent Sunderland in Primary Stars National Girls Football Tournament regional qualifiers

Foundation of Light and Sunderland AFC will be represented by students from Bernard Gilpin Primary School at the National Girls Football Tournament regional qualifiers.

Four teams representing schools from Sunderland the surrounding areas competed in a tournament organised by Foundation of Light coaches at Ford Football Hub.

Bernard Gilpin, based in Houghton-le-Spring, came out on top to win the chance to represent Sunderland in the regional qualifiers at NUCASTLE and battle it out for a place at the 2025 finals.

Ten regional qualifiers will be hosted at club or community facilities across the country, with hundreds of young people representing Premier League, EFL and National League clubs competing. Qualifying teams will win the opportunity to play on a at Molineux Stadium, wearing the kit of their respective professional football club.

The tournament is one of the competition elements of the Premier League Primary Stars programme, with more than 14,500 girls taking part in regional events last year.

Launched in 2017 and available to every primary school in England and Wales, Premier League Primary Stars uses the appeal of football to help children to be active and develop essential life skills.

Premier League Charitable Fund Chief Executive, Ruth Shaw OBE, said: “The Premier League Primary Stars Under-11 National Girls Football Tournament is an incredible opportunity for girls across the country to participate in exciting and fun football activity.

“The regional tournaments bring young people from diverse backgrounds together, and gives them a memorable opportunity to represent their professional football club. I hope that everyone enjoys the day, and I look forward to seeing some of you later this year at the Finals.”

Currently, 103 professional football clubs from across the leagues run in-classroom Premier League Primary Stars sessions in local partner schools. More than 70,000 teachers have signed up to access free online national curriculum-linked resources, to date.

The programme provides teachers and parents with downloadable resources across a range of curriculum subjects at Key Stage 1 (age 5-7) and Key Stage 2 (age 7-11), developed by teachers for teachers, and in collaboration with experts such as the National Literacy Trust and the PSHE Association.

Danielle Chapman, Football in the Community Manager at the Foundation of Light, said: “The National Girls Football Tournament is such an exciting part of the Premier League Primary Stars programme.

“We have seen some amazing success in our Primary Stars delivery, with 82% of our students reporting improved confidence and 81% believing they have improved their physical health and teamwork skills.

“The tournament gives young people the chance to engage in friendly and healthy competition while representing their school, city, and Sunderland AFC in a national football competition."

Currently, 103 professional football clubs from across the leagues run in-classroom Premier League Primary Stars sessions in local partner schools. More than 70,000 teachers have signed up to access free online national curriculum-linked resources, to date.

The programme provides teachers and parents with downloadable resources across a range of curriculum subjects at Key Stage 1 (age 5-7) and Key Stage 2 (age 7-11), developed by teachers for teachers, and in collaboration with experts such as the National Literacy Trust and the PSHE Association.

For more information, please visit Premier League Primary Stars