Whitehaven AFC were delighted earlier this week, when 5 girls who have been part of the current U12 Girls at the club and one who did play for the side before being selected for Sunderland Academy and trains with the side in the off season were crowned National Champions!!
All the girls go to St Benedict’s School in Year 7. The Five-a-Side team travelled to PlayFootball in Birmingham on Monday 16th March for the English School’s Football Fives Finals. They were representing Cumbria and the North West, following on from winning the Regional Finals in Durham back in February.
Miss Powe, Head of PE accompanied the team to Birmingham. She said:
“Wow, what an amazing achievement. Our girls were brilliant throughout the competition. They were determined, resilient and passionate in their play. They were up against some tough teams, true team spirit and our never give up attitude gave us the edge.”
“I could not be any prouder of the girls and we will remember this day for a long time. They are a huge credit to our school, their families and above all themselves. Not many people can say they are National Champions – well done girls.”
The national competition included the eight regional Champions. St Benedict’s results were as follows:
St Benedict’s v Sir John Talbot’s School (Shropshire) 2 -1 WIN
St Benedict’s v St Gregory the Great School (Oxford) 4 – 1 WIN
St Benedict’s v Lealands High School (Luton) 4 -0 WIN
Semi-final v St James’ Catholic High School (Stockport) 4-3 WIN after extra time
Final v Shenfield High School (Essex) 2- 1 WIN
The six girls involved were;
Chelsea Callander, Layla Rudd, Millie Clark, Ava Greeson, Molly Blair and Aarleah Robertson.
Rob Campbell who coaches the girls at Whitehaven AFC said ‘Its terrific news what the girls have done, they all are extremely talented young girls who always work hard and give 100% commitment and it’s great that St Benedict‘s & Miss Powe are so passionate about Girls Football and give them the platform outside of what they do at this Club to continue to enjoy the sport and develop even more. I’m sure Miss Powe, the school and the female footballers they have will continue to have lots more success in the future. I couldn’t be any more prouder of them all, they have did so well since they joined 4/5 years ago and to see them now as National Champions got their School is amazing.’