Formby Girls Inter School Tournament
90 Girls, 9 Teams, 1 Trophy.
It was a round robin tournament which enabled all 9 teams to play each other. The schools involved were Our Lady of Compassion (current holders), Redgate, Trinity St Peters, Woodlands, Holy Family, St Lukes, Shoreside, and all were eager to take part.
It was a delayed kick off due to late arrivals, but we started and were treated to an afternoon spectacle of fantastic football. The girls were a credit to themselves, families, and Schools, opposing teams congratulating and commiserating each other, fantastic sportsmanship was the winner on the day.
Out of the 9 teams Woodlands came third and Our Lady Of Compassion and St Lukes were equal on points, there was only one thing for it…….Penalty shoot out!! We didn’t conform with normality, and encouraged all 9 girls in each team to take a penalty. The atmosphere changed from a jovial relaxed spectator, to a tense, quiet engrossed crowd, as each girl stood up to take their penalty, the goalkeepers for Our Lady Of Compassion – Holly Wright and St Lukes Olivia Mulvey were outstanding and didn’t crumble under pressure. The result was Our Lady of Compassion 5 St Lukes 4, so Our Lady’s retained The Taskers Inter Schools Trophy…. Until March 27th!!
The girls loved the afternoon, and these were some of the quotes that came back:
“I loved the tournament it was really fun and everyone was really nice. I loved it because Fern Whelan, Jody Hanlon and Irene Mallon were there Fern and Jodie were really nice and so was Irene” – Lily
“it was great fun today. It was good to have games against Saturday morning team-mates from different schools and it was a challenge to play against the older girls, I’m looking forward to the next tournament” – Amy
“I really liked playing lots of games and playing with my school friends” – Beth
“I had a great time and was really proud of winning” – Sophie.
Thanks as ever, to Hugh McAuley for yet again providing the Venue free of charge, without him, these tournaments couldn’t take place so thank you.
Holy Family High School provided 5 Referees, who were a credit to the school, remaining calm and composed under sometimes pressurised environments and offering encouragement and praise to the girls, so thank you to Mr Symes, and the 6th Formers.
Everton Ladies football Club were fantastic, when the feelers were put out, Everton responded and thank you to Irene Mallon (Head of the Centre of Excellence) who worked tirelessly to arrange for not one but two players to attend to meet the girls.
Fern Whelan and Jody Handley didn’t just attend, they spent the afternoon watching the girls, answering many questions and posing for photographs with the girls. The girls from Formby Junior Sports Club have been mascots and watched the ladies both at the games and on the TV, so to have the chance to meet their idols and chat with them was brilliant, and so refreshing to have female idols that can inspire and motivate the girls. Irene Mallon said “Thanks for the invitation to this tournament it gives us an opportunity to interact with young footballers in the hope we can inspire them to continue with their football and be the best they can.”
It was lovely to experience the community spirit and all schools coming together, and a special thanks to all the teachers Parents, Grandparents and girls for a great day for all.
Some of the girls playing in the tournament meet two of the players from Everton Ladies FC
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