On Monday 11^th October, Wath hosted an U9 Girls Shooting Stars Festival football event for children in year 3 & 4 from 6 primary schools in the local area on the 3G at the Academy.

Over 60 girls from Listerdale, Aston Fence, St Marys Herringthorpe, Aston Hall, St Bede’s and Brinsworth Whitehill enjoyed a number of football sessions throughout the afternoon on the International Day of The Girl.

The Wath Academy post-16 girls football scholars took time out of their training schedule to run the sessions for the participants.

Mr Flowers, the Barclays Girls Football Strategic Lead for Rotherham said:

“It was great to see our Scholars working together to deliver this event to the Primary School children and teachers. We think it’s important that girls everywhere have access to female role models, and can see that there are opportunities to play, develop and create a lifelong connection to the game.”

Gracie Horne (Y13) said:

 “I really enjoyed delivering some of the Youth Sport Trust sessions to the girls from the primary schools on Monday. It was great to see so many smiles on faces and girls enjoying playing football together.”

Mr Walker, Girls Football Schools Partnership Strategic Lead for Rotherham said:

"After a challenging few years, it was great to see an inter-school event up and running again. The scholars from Wath provided the perfect setting for the girls, who ranged from club footballers to beginners and it was amazing to see the coaches and participants' confidence grow as the festival went on. Everyone left with a smile on their face (and a free football) which will hopefully create a lasting interest in the beautiful game." 

Katy Rogers, Development Manager for the Youth Sport Trust who visited the event said:

“The Shooting Stars Festival was a brilliant afternoon of football based activity that engaged all the girls and gave them the chance to be active in a friendly and fun environment. The Wath Scholars were excellent role models displaying great leadership skills and I’m sure inspiring many of the girls to get involved in even more football. A great afternoon of physical, social and emotional development for all the girls involved. A fantastic opportunity to #LetGirlsPlay”

As a GFSP strategic lead for the Youth Sport Trust, in conjunction with Wickersley School Sports Partnership, the Football Development team are working with families of schools at primary and secondary levels to develop girls in and through football in an educational-based setting.

The Partnership will increase opportunities for girls to play the game in and out of curriculum time in an educational setting. Teachers and school staff will receive bespoke training to support the development of Physical Literacy, Character Education and Youth Leadership.

Establishing close links with County Football Associations and Community Football Trusts, the Partnerships will be able to signpost girls to community opportunities. In addition, The FA Girls’ Football School Partnerships – supported by Barclays will create the next generation of the game’s behind-the-scenes workforce by developing and growing the number of female volunteers.

To find out more about what the Girls Football Schools Partnership in Rotherham can offer, please email football@wathacademy.com or visit https://girlsfootballinschools.org