Girls Football Festival scores huge success

Almost 70 youngsters took to the pitches at Silksworth Sports Complex to take part in a Girls Football Festival aimed at increasing participation within the game. The event brought together schools from across the North East and was organised by Foundation of Light as part of the Premier League's Primary Stars initiative. Girls aged between nine and 11 years were invited to show off their skills, have fun and engage with children their own age through friendly sport competition. "Today we've been competing against other schools in the area and it's been fantastic," said Farringdon Academy's coach. "It's a good opportunity for the children to come along and play a good game of football. "The school really enjoys [coming along to events like this]. It's a really positive thing for the kids to get involved."

The Foundation of Light has given the girls the opportunity to play football in a laid back atmosphere and because of that they can just enjoy it.

Michael Shaw, Easington Colliery Primary

Aaron Croft, Foundation of Light Premier League Primary Stars Coordinator, said: “We are committed to increasing participation in sport and with the support of the Premier League through the Primary Stars programme we’re able to put on tournaments and festivals such as these which can have a massive effect on the youngsters taking part. “Thank you to all the schools who took part today, the festival was played in a great spirit and you could tell by the way the girls were laughing an interacting with each other that they really enjoyed themselves." Foundation of Light offers women and girls the opportunity to take part in sport at all levels from PE sessions in schools to the Football Scholarship programme including Evening and Weekend football sessions, Player Development Squads, Sunderland Regional Talent Club, Coaches Academy, Soccercise and partnerships with Wearside Wildcats Netball Club and Pumas Futsal Club. The schools taking part were: Bernard Gilpin Primary; Benedict Biscop Academy; Easington Colliery Primary; Farringdon Academy; and Ridgeway Primary.