- English Schools’ FA to host a fantastic friendly fixture for England U15 Schoolgirls against their Welsh counterparts
- Tickets will be available on the gate for just £5 for adults and £2 for concessions to attend the event at The Park Hall Stadium in Oswestry with an 11am KO
- Local schoolchildren will be encouraged to join in the celebrations in the lead up to the fixture on Sunday 10 March, with a group discount available for schools and teams
The ESFA is delighted to announce that a one-off friendly fixture for the England U15 Schoolgirls has been planned to take place at The New Saints, Oswestry on Sunday 10 March 2024, at 11am, against the Wales U16 Schoolgirls’ squad.
The England U15 Schoolgirls’ will be traveling to Park Hall Stadium, home of The New Saints FC, for their second friendly of the season, following their recent 4 -1 win against the Independent Schools’ FA (ISFA) squad on Sunday 10th February.
The friendly fixture will be the girls’ final chance to play as a squad ahead of their upcoming competitive matches in the SAFIB Bob Docherty Cup, to be held in the Republic of Ireland from the 24th – 28th March.
The ESFA’s return to The New Saints will provide a fantastic venue for the England Schoolgirls to enjoy a stadium experience for their final friendly of the season, and – with tickets being available on the day for only £5 for adults and £2 for concessions – the Association is hoping to attract an excitable crowd from across both England and Wales to cheer on the teams.
For those who won’t be able to attend the fixture in person, the game will also be live streamed with full commentary via the ESFA’s YouTube channel, ESFA TV and will also be available to watch back, for those who want to relive the action. The ESFA’s social media team will also follow the progress of the game and provide updates via @schoolsfootball on Twitter and Instagram.
The England team will walk out in their new kit, which was presented to them at their recent international training camp, which took place at St Georges Park, during Schools’ Football Week, from the 9th – 12th February. This year’s Nike kit has been provided by official ESFA kit suppliers, Pro:Direct and features new ESFA front of shirt sponsors, Arnold Clark. With the car company’s brand fast becoming synonymous with football at all levels, the England girls will be proud to be associated with such supportive sponsors of the ESFA’s international programme.
ESFA Chair, Marvin Robinson said, “Witnessing the phenomenal growth of schoolgirls’ football fills me with immense pride and optimism; from increasing participation to garnering
recognition and support, the journey has been remarkable. Our dedication to promoting girls’ football has not only broken down barriers but also empowered young females, instilling in them confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging.
Fixtures like this are pivotal moments in the journey. As we prepare, we recognise its significance in creating further opportunities for girls and the squad. It’s more than just a game; it’s a testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved in promoting girls’ football, we’ve created a pathway where every girl can dream big and pursue her passion for football.
I am thrilled to see the enthusiasm and support surrounding this fixture, and I am confident that it will be a memorable event for players, parents and spectators alike. Let’s continue to celebrate the growth of schoolgirls’ football, inspire the next generation, and build a more inclusive and diverse sporting community together
The New Saints FC’s chairman, Mike Harris, said: “We are delighted that Park Hall Stadium has been chosen by the English Schools’ Football Association to host this exciting Schoolgirls’ fixture.
As regular competitors in the UEFA Champions League, we are no strangers to hosting prestigious matches, and the friendly between England U15s and Wales U16s will no doubt prove to be another great spectacle.
On behalf of everyone at The New Saints FC, I’d like to extend my best wishes to both sets of players, and I would encourage as many people as possible to come out and support the event.”
The ESFA is hoping to see a bumper crowd for home international matches in 2024, with a view to creating a fantastic and memorable atmosphere and experience for the young players.
The National Governing Body for Schools’ Football in England.