Histon & Impington unbeaten in girls football competition

Inspired by the success of the Lionesses this summer 180 girls took to the football pitches at Histon & Impington Recreation Ground earlier this week for South Cambs School Sport Partnerships annual competition.

Teams of Year 5/6 girls from 17 schools across the district took part in the competition. Schools were split into four groups and played each in other in a round robin format before qualifying into divisions 1-4 based on their performances in the group stages. There was lots of fine football on display and all the matches were played in great spirit, with lots of cheering and encouragement and even dancing celebrations as goals were scored.

The top placed teams that qualified into Division 1 for the next round of matches were Harston & Newton, Histon & Impington Brook, Trumpington Park, University of Cambridge Primary and Swavesey. Teams again played each other in a series of round robin matches with the standard of play and teamwork getting better as the afternoon went on. Indeed, there were lots of closely contested matches and tight score lines. At the end of the afternoon when are off the results were added up it was the team from Histon & Impington Brook who came out top and finished the day as deserved winners with 7 wins and 1 draw and 13 goals scored and non-conceded in their 8 matches. The only team to take a point of them, University of Cambridge Primary School finished as runners up and both schools now qualify to represent South Cambs at the county finals early next year.

Winners of Division 2 were Histon & Impington Brook 2, Division 3 was won by Hatton Park and Pendragon were winners of Division 4.

As well as medals for the winners and runners up all of the teams received certificates and there was a special ‘Spirit of the Games Award’ which was presented to the team from Trumpington Park Primary school for showing great teamwork and respect whilst taking part in their first girls football competition as a school.

Partnership Manager, Claire McDonnell said

“It was lovely to see so many girls coming together to play football for their school team and getting to compete against other schools. The girls told us this is what they loved about the event, just getting to play against other schools and having fun with their friends. They all played with smiles on their faces which was lovely to see and the standard of play gets better every year which is really encouraging.

The Football Fun Factory also attended the event with their inflatable dartboard which was a real hit with the girls who loved testing their skills on this between matches

We are also thankful to the students from Cambridge Regional College who helped to referee and score all of the matches and the Girls Football Activators from Impington and Cambourne Village Colleges who helped with the overall running of the event, organising the score table and coaching one of the teams.”

South Cambs School Sport Partnership is part of a nationwide scheme that aims to mainstream football in school for girls with the vision to ensure every girl has equal access to football in school by 2024. To find out more visit www.girlsfootballinschools.org

Claire McDonnell said,

“Football is our national sport and we want to make sure girls have the same opportunities to play football that boys do. We want girls to be able to play in events like todays and as well as to be able to play at lunchtimes, after school, at local clubs. They should have the same opportunities as boys but unfortunately this is always the case.

We will be working with schools, clubs and community providers to drive this change locally.  If you want to get involved and help or find out more, please get in touch cmcdonnell@combertonvc.org