ESFA receives highest recorded number of girls’ team entries to National Cup Competitions
The English Schools’ FA (ESFA) are delighted to learn this week that entries for girls’ teams into ESFA National Cup competitions are at an all-time high.
The ESFA have received a record number of entries into schools’ cup competitions, specifically designed for girls’ participation, for the 2019/2020 season. The ESFA has seen a steady increase in entries over the past few seasons, but this year have reached a record number of 1,670 girls’ squads entered into competitions, which equates to around 30,000 individual players.
The ESFA have run football tournaments and competitions for girls since 1996 and after supporting the growth of girls’ football for over 20 years, they still continue to provide some of the best grassroots opportunities for girls in England. Whether this is within one of the twelve National Schools’ Cup competitions (from U11 – U18), via representative football for a District or County Schools’ FA or through trialing for the ESFA U15 England Schoolgirls’ team, the opportunities available are plenty and successful, proven by the increased participation numbers.
ESFA Schools’ Cup competitions run from September – May each season and culminate with a number of National Finals at football stadia across the country between March and May, where a large number of girls’ teams will be welcomed to enjoy their match-day experience. The ESFA also work hard to appoint female match officials at National Final events to ensure equal opportunities are offered to participants of girls’ football across the board.
We are absolutely delighted to be able to announce this statistic and wish all the girls taking part in ESFA activity this season, the very best of luck!
The National Governing Body for Schools’ Football in England.