Dorset girls football team takes English School FA title
Under 15s from Queen Elizabeth's School in Wimborne are national champs!
A team of Dorset girls have been crowned the national English Schools FA champions.
The Under 15s from Queen Elizabeth's School in Wimborne took the title after coming through five rounds of the knockout competition, ahead of the final.
They triumphed over The Cottesloe School from Leighton Buzzard 3-2 in extra time, after the 9-a-side match finished 2-2 in normal time.
The game was played at the Sixways Stadium in Worcester, to round off the tournament, which began in January.
Coaches Andy Jackson and Emma Acott had led the 14 strong squad. Andy said:
“This was a new competition run by English Schools and it was open to all schools in the country. In the first round we beat Poole High School and then beat schools from Sussex and Devon before the semi-final against Surbiton High School. They are a huge footballing school so beating them was amazing.
“For the final we took the squad and 16 of their friends to the stadium that is a wonderful facility. We had the home changing room and ran out to music and it really was a stressful game that could have gone either way.
“At the final whistle they all hugged each other and then ran over to their friends and then of course they got to lift the trophy.”
Liz West, chief executive of Initio Learning Trust that includes QE School, said:
“What a super achievement, following on from the success of the boys’ team. Girls from Years 9 and 10 were playing so hopefully we can have another good side next year.
“Sport is a very important part of life at our trust and this is a day that will live with the girls for the rest of their lives.”