Schoolgirl footballers win chance to play at Wembley

Girl footballers at the Parish Church Primary School in Gainsborough are dreaming of gracing the turf at Wembley after winning an inaugural tournament.
The victorious Parish team who won the first girls football tournament, organised by Gainsborough Trinity, and are now dreaming of the national finals at Wembley.The victorious Parish team who won the first girls football tournament, organised by Gainsborough Trinity, and are now dreaming of the national finals at Wembley.
The victorious Parish team who won the first girls football tournament, organised by Gainsborough Trinity, and are now dreaming of the national finals at Wembley.

Parish were triumphant in the six-a-side tournament, which was organised by Gainsborough Trinity Football Club as part of their community work.

They now go on to represent Trinity next month at regional finals, the winners of which go through to the national finals, which are to be played at Wembley before the end-of-season National League play-offs.

Parish came up against just one rival school, Benjamin Adlard, but both teams were strong and the entertaining, end-to-end games they played showed how far girls’ football has progressed in the town.

Scoring lots of goals and not conceding one, Parish were victorious, but all players were presented with Premier League Stars’ certificates for their teamwork.

One of Parish’s players, Sky Woodward, said: “I knew we had a good chance, but anything can happen in football. I enjoyed scoring a goal, and I can’t wait to play in the next round. We have learned so much this season from our coach and teacher.”

The school’s football coach, teacher John Anderson, said he was continually astounded by the quality of football his team have played.

“I am so lucky to work with such a talented group of footballers, both girls and boys,” he said. “As a school, we have now done the quadruple, winning this National League competition for girls and boys, plus the English Schools FA seven-a-side girls and English Schools FA seven-a-side mixed. That is an unbelievable feat which may never be repeated.

“The standard in the next round will be very high, but the reward of getting to Wembley would be the icing on the cake for our season.”

A spokesman for the Gainsborough Trinity Foundation said: “We were proud to host this inaugural girls’ tournament.

“A huge thankyou and well done to both the school teams that took part. Parish were worthy winners and performed very well.

“We wish the team the best of luck in the regional finals, and we will be supporting them all the way, with the hope that they make it to Wembley.”

Related topics: