Thorney Close represent Sunderland AFC in Premier League Primary Stars National Girls Football Tournament as Carlisle come out on top

Sunderland AFC were represented by Thorney Close Primary School at the Premier League Primary Stars National Girls Football Tournament - Regional Qualifiers which were hosted at the Beacon of Light.

One of ten regional tournaments to be staged at community facilities across the country, with hundreds of young people representing Premier League, EFL and National League clubs, Foundation of Light were picked as hosts for the region, with an afternoon of action on the Beacon’s rooftop barn.

Every year, thousands of girls from across England and Wales take part in the regional qualifying rounds. Willow’s Primary School, representing Altrincham FC, are the current champions having won the tournament finals in 2025 at Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Molineux Stadium.

The Premier League Primary Stars National Girls Football Tournament is one of the competition elements of the Premier League Primary Stars programme. Launched in 2017 and available to every primary school in England and Wales, Premier League Primary Stars uses the appeal of football to inspire children aged five-to-11 to be active and develop essential skills.

Carlise United, represented by Thomlinson Junior School, came out on top on the day, beating Hartlepool United (Bewley Primary School) 1-0 in the final to move on to national tournament at Molineux. 

But it was a great experience nonetheless for the Thorney Close side given the opportunity to turn out in the red and white stripes in the shadow of the Stadium of Light. 

Primary Stars National Girls Football Tournament Regional Qualifier teams:

Sunderland AFC - Thorney Close Primary School

Newcastle United - Caedmon Primary School

Middlesbrough FC - The Avenue Primary School

Hartlepool United - Bewley Primary School

Carlisle United - Thomlinson Junior School

Premier League Foundation Chief Executive, Alex White, said: “The Premier League Primary Stars National Girls Football Tournament is a fantastic opportunity for young players to experience the joy and excitement of the game.

“These regional events unite girls from all walks of life, giving them the unique privilege of representing their club and creating memories that will last a lifetime as part of the Premier League’s commitment to supporting the wider game.”

More than 100 football club charities across England and Wales deliver Premier League Primary Stars, supporting pupils in the classroom, the playground and on the sports field. More than 75,000 teachers have signed up to access free online national curriculum-linked resources, to date.

Premier League Primary Stars also 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.

The Premier League Primary Stars National Girls’ Football Tournament is part of the Premier League’s commitment to providing better accessibility and more inclusivity for young female players and enhancing player development from grassroots to the professional game. Between 2022-25, the Premier League invested over £41m into women’s and girls’ football across the grassroots game and a £20m loan to Women’s Super League Football.

The Premier League has committed more than £15 million into women’s and girls’ football between 2025 and 2028.

This includes £6.87m for the FA’s network of girls’ Emerging Talent Centres (ETCs) and £2.7m for the strategy behind the FA Women’s National League. The Premier League also provides wide-ranging support to women and girls through its facilities, funding and community programmes.

More than 100,000 girls and young women take part in Premier League community programmes each year.