Girls’ game is set to kick on this season
SCHOOLS FOOTBALL
THE region’s girls football scene promises to be bigger and better than ever before as a new season prepares to kick off.
Two seasons ago, the first under15 city girls team was launched and went on to win the County League title.
Last season the squad finished runners-up in both the County League and the Fred Fullerton Durham Cup.
An under-13 girls’ city side was established in 2016-17 and also triumphed in the County League
These two teams will continue this season and will now be joined by an under-11 girls’ city side for the first time.
Under-11 manager Michael Moran said: “It will be an honour to coach the team and there is a lot of talent within the city.”
The under-11s’ competitions start earlier than the other two age groups. This means trials will be held on Mondays September 11 and 18 at Kenton School in Newcastle (4.30-5.30pm).
There are also competitions for the girls within the city.
The Under-11 Girls City League is looking as strong as it was last season.
A few new schools have entered and squads have had to be split into a West and East League.
The top two from each of the leagues will play for the Champions Cup in April. The first competition for the girls in 2017-18 will be the ESFA Tournament.
Last season, St Teresa’s were champions for the second consecutive campaign and they will be among the favorites again this year.
First, though, they have to make it through the qualifying stages.
Six groups will play over two nights, one at Gosforth Academy on Tuesday, September 19, the other at Walbottle Campus the following day.
The winners of each group will meet on Finals Night on Friday, October 6 at Benfield School (3.30pm).
The older age groups within Newcastle will contest the Under-13 City Cup and the Under-15 City Cups. Benfield lifted the Under-13 Cup last season and will probably be favourites again this season.
Their under-15 side will probably be strong as well but could come up against a strong Gosforth Academy.
History is being made in both of these competitions – Newcastle School for Girls participating for the very first time.
They will be playing at Walbottle in the Under-13 Cup and at Excelsior in the under-15 competition.
Both finals are scheduled for Thursday, March 22 at Newcastle’s Walker School.
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