Almost 350 girls from around the country descended on LVS Ascot on Tuesday 9th October as the school hosted the ISA Girls Football Festival. Schools from Cambridge, London, Essex, Warwickshire and even Stockton-on-Tees flocked to be part of the event that the school was successfully hosting for the third year in a row.
With 41 teams participating, the independent all-ability school’s 25-acre site was able to accommodate nine matches being played simultaneously in Under 11, Under 13 and Under 15 categories, with sixth formers at LVS Ascot refereeing matches and ensuring fair play.
“LVS Ascot has fantastic facilities to be able to host over 300 girls in three age groups playing at the same time. The event keeps on growing year on year and is a real sign of the growth in girls’ football.” – Ian Bent, National Football Development Manager at the Independent Schools Football Association
Each school present was able to enjoy their own masterclass with Arsenal Women’s coaches where they received expert advice and learned new skills to put into practice in their matches. Daniel from the Arsenal Women’s coaching team said: “We have been doing exercises with the girls to improve their one on one dribbling, changing direction and making them think about being more creative, encouraging their individuality. It is wonderful here with lots of space to play – it has been a fantastic day.”
There was cause for celebration amongst the LVS Ascot community as its Under 13 team won the cup competition, beating Shoreham College from West Sussex in the final.
Shoreham gained consolation in winning the Under 11 cup event, whilst the furthest travelling team – Red House School from near Middlesbrough – justified their 500-mile plus round trip by lifting the Under 15s cup, beating Hampshire’s Meoncross in the final.
“We aim to inspire our students to exceed their expectations and try new things, and I am delighted we have been able to extend this today to girls from schools around the country. Whilst all the girls playing are trying to be the best, they have shared in our ethos of enjoying what they do, giving their all and working as a team. As hosts, our girls – and sixth formers who have refereed every match – have made me proud and been great ambassadors for the school.” – LVS Ascot Principal Christine Cunniffe
Full list of results:
U11 Plate: Gateway (Bucks) beat Lyonsdown (North London)
U11 Cup: Shoreham College (West Sussex) beat LVS Ascot
U13 Shield: Radnor House (Twickenham) beat LVS Ascot B
U13 Trophy: Quinton House (Northampton) beat North Bridge House (North London)
U13 Plate: King Alfred (North London) beat Mount House (North London)
U13 Cup: LVS Ascot A beat Shoreham College (West Sussex)
U15 Trophy: Duke Of Kent (Surrey) beat Luckley House (Berkshire)
U15 Plate: Ipswich High (Suffolk) beat King Alfred (North London)
U15 Cup: Red House (Stockton on Tees) beat Meoncross (Hampshire)
To see a full album of the day, please follow this link
