Durham Area:
Whilst the Women’s England team were working hard in China, back home in County Durham, the Schools’ were showing their support. During September & October 2007 “Girls United” events took place within the Chester-le-Street & Derwentside, Sedgefield and Weardale districts.
Sedgefield Primary Schools “Girls United” activity included 3 local cluster festivals held at Greenfield Comprehensive, Sedgefield Sports College and The Oaks Secondary Comprehensive School. All Primary Schools were allocated countries that were taking part in the Women’s World Cup (see pictures). In total 15 schools entered the event where the top two Schools of each cluster group then went forward to the finals afternoon with the eventual winner representing Sedgefield in the DCSFA Primary Schools competition. A Big thank you must go to the Sedgefield Schools Sport Partnership, Sedgefield Borough Council, and FA Skills Coach Richard Shuffleton for their support to the event.
Derwentside Primary Schools event was to initiate the set up of a new local Primary Schools league. 12 schools participated in the “Girls United” activity at Belle Vue Leisure Centre. The league is now up and running with a total of 16 schools entered. A Big thank you must go to Chris Heath PDM for Derwentside Schools, Derwentside Leisure Works and FA Skills Coach Graeme Carrick for their support to the event.
Chester-le-street & Derwentside combined their Secondary Schools event for yr7 and Yr 8&9 to initiate the set up of a new local Schools league. The league is now up and running with 8 schools entered. Thanks must go to the Chester-le-street & Derwentside Schools Sport Partnership, Derwentside Leisure Works and Consett Sports College for their support.
Weardale Primary Schools “Girls United” activity included 16 schools from the partnership for a full morning of football activity. A great big thank you must go to George Richardson and the Wear Valley district council team in supporting this event.
All Schools that took part in “Girls United” events received World Cup Certificate, posters and post cards of the current Women’s England Squad supplied from the FA in support of our England team participating in the World Cup 2007. If you would like any further information from any of the events that occurred or in any future Women & Girls’ football development please contact Lindsey Robinson, Women, Girls’ & Disability Officer, Durham Sport on 0191 3018584 or e-mail: lrobinson@durhamcity.gov.uk.
Tyne & Wear:
From Monday 20th August until Friday 24th August, a girls’ football festival took place at Temple Park Leisure Centre in South Shields, Tyne & Wear to celebrate England Women qualifying for the Women’s World Cup taking place in China this September.
The event was planned and delivered in partnership with the South Tyneside Borough Council’s Sports Development Officer, Tyne & Wear Sport, Durham County FA, FA Skills Coaches and Boldon Girls FC.
Near on thirty girls participated in the event that incorporated football coaching, skill drills and a mini World Cup tournament delivered by FA Qualified coaches from the Local Authority Sports Development Department, FA Skills Coaches and FA Charter Standard Club Boldon who have supported the event and been instrumental in the planning stages.
FA Skills Coaches Michael Stonehouse and Graeme Carrick assisted Ian Skinner to presented prizes and giveaways to all of the girls to promote the forthcoming Women’s World Cup.
The event was extremely successful and all involved thoroughly enjoyed the coaching and tournament.
Ian Skinner, Girls and Women’s Football Development Officer for Tyne & Wear Sport said: “This event is one of many we are supporting in the Tyne & Wear area to celebrate England Women qualifying for the World Cup.
"It was a fantastic event and we got all the girls who took part to sign an England flag which will travel to China and be displayed in the stadiums where England are scheduled to play. The idea being that it will show the women the support they have back home during the tournament.” Ian Skinner went on to add “We would like to wish the whole squad the very best of luck for the tournament”.