In celebration of International Women’s Day, the ESFA announce plans to host a celebration of girls’ football…
The celebration will take place AFC Fylde on Wednesday 27 March featuring 2 x Girls’ U18 National Finals, showcasing some of the best female footballing talents in the country.
Over 100 schools and colleges from across England entered the English Schools’ FA (ESFA) U18 Schools’ & Colleges’ Cup for Girls competitions this season and on Wednesday 27 March 2019, the two remaining National Finalists from each competition will battle it out to become National Champions at AFC Fylde’s beautiful Mill Farm stadium.
The ESFA has seen an increase in entries into girls’ cup competitions in the 2018-19 season, with entries at the highest they have ever been across all schools’ cup age groups.
The English Schools’ FA run girls’ cup competitions across the U11 – U18 age groups to help encourage and assist the development of the girls’ game. The Association also boasts a successful Girls’ U15 England squad, who will be taking part in the SAFIB Bob Docherty home nations tournament, courtesy of our partners, inspiresport.
Once all finalists within the competitions taking place at AFC Fylde are in place, further information and hospitality packages will be released for sale – to help you to celebrate Girls’ Football in style!
‘The atmosphere in the stadium makes all the difference to the players on the pitch and whilst we do all we can to create a fantastic match-day experience for them, we rely on supporters and the public to create a real buzz around the Final. Schools from the local area will be invited to attend, with special discounted rates of entry and AFC Fylde season ticket holders can also claim free entry for the match. We hope to welcome along as many spectators as possible to enjoy the event”
Darren Alcock, ESFA National Competitions Manager
Entry will be charged on arrival at Mill Farm at a rate of £4/adult and free of charge for all students under 18. Hospitality packages for the event will also be made available to purchase and these will be announced via the ESFA Twitter account in due course.
The ESFA are delighted that, for the third season, all National Finals will once again be streamed live online via the ESFA YouTube channel – meaning those supporters who are unable to make the event can still keep up with all the action live and direct to their mobile device.
The showcase of Girls’ U18 Schools’ and Colleges’ cup finals at Mill Farm this month will be supported by female mascots from local schools as well as female match officials, the Association are also hoping to invite along female co-commentators to assist with the live coverage.
ESFA Girls’ U18 Schools’ Cup Final – 12pm KO
ESFA Girls’ U18 Colleges’ Cup Final – 4pm KO
The ESFA would like to thank AFC Fylde for hosting their first National Finals and are looking forward to announcing the four teams that will get the opportunity to play at the fantastic Mill Farm Stadium in 2019.
The National Governing Body for Schools’ Football in England.