Girls football festival shows off Primary Stars

Almost 80 youngsters took part in a girls’ football festival in Sunderland this week supported by SAFC charity Foundation of Light and players from SAFC Ladies. Girls aged from 6 to 8 years took part in the festival at Silksworth Sports Complex organised by Foundation of Light as part of the Premier League’s Primary Stars initiative. SAFC Ladies keeper Rachael Laws, striker Simona Koren and midfielder Dominique Bruinenberg presented certificates, posed for photos and got involved with footballing drills with youngsters taking part. Aisha Smith, Teacher at Town End Academy said: “The girls really enjoyed today’s event. We’re trying to encourage more girls to play football and sport and getting the opportunity to play against other teams, and meet footballing role models like the SAFC ladies, is great for that.”

It’s great to come here today and see the opportunities these girls have to enjoy football and come together in friendly competition. In the years I’ve been playing for SAFC Ladies, girls football has grown massively so it’s very important that organisations like the Foundation of Light continue to support those who are curious about getting involved and want to progress in the sport.

Rachael Laws, Sunderland AFC Ladies

Helen Byrne, Foundation of Light Premier League Primary Stars Events Coordinator commented: “We are creating a framework that supports the growth of female sport across the North East, 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 and to Rachael, Simona and Dominique who took time out to encourage these young girls and give them role models to look up to.” The schools taking part were: Bernard Gilpin Primary School; Town End Academy; Farringdon Academy; Lanchester EP Primary School; and Cleadon Academy. SAFC Ladies next home fixture is against Brighouse Town Ladies FC in the The SSE Women's FA Cup Fourth Round at Mariner’s Park on 4th February. To book tickets, visit www.sunderland.fawsl.com.