The girls’ football team at Southborough Primary School in Bromley has been celebrating their brilliant win at the Pokémon Primary Schools’ Cup following a year of wonderful successes.
Southborough Primary, part of The Pioneer Academy Trust, won their match 4-2 at the Stoke City stadium, making them the U11 Girls Cup Winners. They won matches within their borough, county, and region before reaching the finals.
The team has worked incredibly hard over the past year to improve their passing, shooting, attacking and defensive skills.
The defence includes pupils Freya and Chloe, who add strength and grit to the team. Behind them, in goal, is Honor and Seren, who offers a calm pair of hands as they command their box and frequently makes outstanding saves.
Making up the rest of the midfield and attack are Poppy, Scarlett, Anya, Lylah, Abbigail, Ivy and Amillia, who show great tenacity and work rate to support the defence as well as pushing forward too.
Among their many other successes this year as a year 5 / 6 girls football team include being the borough, regional and South East winners of the Crystal Palace Premier League Tournament. The team has also won the Bromley Borough Cup and they were the winning girls’ team at The Pioneer Academy football finals.
The team has worked with the school’s PE teacher, Jack Taylor, this year as well as being coached by Ian Fotheringham, deputy head at the school.
Team captain, Freya, has been a strong leader and always encourages the team with positive praise. Freya said: “It has been great to play with lots of different girls and also make new friends. We always encourage and support each other and that’s what makes us a great team.”
Ivy, who plays midfield, said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed playing for the school team over the past 2 years. We have had many opportunities to play in lots of tournaments, and we have won so much.”
Poppy, another midfielder, added that the match was: “An absolutely amazing way to finish the season, and end of Primary School journey by winning the National Finals.”
The team was also proud to represent Crystal Palace at the Premier League Stars national finals in Wolverhampton.
Ian Fotheringham, Deputy Head at Southborough Primary School, said:
“I am immensely proud of the team’s amazing achievements this year and it has been an absolute pleasure to be their coach.
“The team has scored numerous individual goals this season, but also some amazing team goals.
“The girls are fiercely competitive and also show great sporting and team spirit and this positive attitude was vital to the team’s success.”
Melody Berthoud, Headteacher at Southborough Primary School, said:
“Huge congratulations to our girls’ team! We are all incredibly proud of the team’s hard work and commitment as well as their success.
“Extracurricular sports bring so many benefits to all pupils, including helping our children to develop team working skills as well as their confidence. It is brilliant to see our pupils thriving.”
