Sunderland girls' Wembley victory

It was Wembley victory for a team of Sunderland schoolgirls on Sunday as they won the EFL Girls Cup. The youngsters booked their place at the national stadium after overcoming 12 North East schools in the Sunderland AFC Club Heat, before winning the Regional Finals of the nationwide competition. The year 7 and 8 girls’ team from St Joseph’s Catholic Academy from Hebburn competed in the final of the competition on the hallowed turf of Wembley, before the EFL Checkatrade Trophy Final kicked off. They faced off against Mangotsfield School, representing Bristol Rovers, eventually overcoming a goal deficit to win 3-1. As part of their experience, the girls were treated to a tour of Wembley and a pre-match team talk by Arsenal and England ace Jordan Nobbs, who also presented them with the trophy.

It’s great to see the girls winning and picking up the trophy on a day they will never forget. The whole weekend has been fantastic and we’re very grateful to the EFL Trust for organising the competition which every year showcases how girls’ football is developing in both size and skill level.

Helen Byrne, Premier League Primary Stars Events Coordinator

Foundation of Light run a broad range of football opportunities for girls including: evening and weekend sessions through SSE Wildcats Football Centres at Beacon of Light, Easington, Lanchester and Hebburn; Sunderland and Gateshead Regional Talent Club (formerly Girls Centre of Excellence); and the Football Scholarship programme.