The girls’ football team from Surbiton High School is now just one match away from playing at Wembley Stadium after winning their Area Final.
Yesterday, Charlton Athletic Community Trust, in partnership with the English Football League (EFL) in the Community, hosted the Utilita Girls Cup Area Final.
The Cup is a national competition organised by the EFL, pairing school teams with local EFL clubs, with Area Final winners progressing to Regional Finals, the final step before the incredible Wembley Final.
AFC Wimbledon, represented by Surbiton High School, is now through to the Southern Regional Final after beating Millwall, represented by Deptford Green School, 2–0, to progress to the next stage of the competition.
Bradley Marshall, Charlton Athletic Community Trust’s Football & Sports Development Manager, said: “We had a great day hosting the Utilita Girls Cup, with players enjoying the chance to compete, learn and challenge themselves in a great environment.
“It was brilliant to have Katie Bradley, Charlton Athletic Women’s Player, attend the event. She spent time with the players and answering their questions, as well as sharing insights from her own experiences in the game.
“Congratulations to Surbiton High School and AFC Wimbledon on reaching the next stage and well done to all the schools who helped make the day such a success.”
The Utilita Kids & Girls Cup are two of the country’s biggest national football competitions for schools and children.
Both tournaments offer schoolchildren the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play at Wembley Stadium, with the competition culminating in exciting finals at England’s national stadium in front of thousands of people before major EFL finals, as schoolchildren live out their dream.
The annual football competition sees more than 20,000 boys and girls each year take to the pitch to represent the 72 EFL Clubs across England and Wales, bolstering the existing ties between Clubs and their local communities.
The competition inspires children to be active, healthy, and develop a strong sense of teamwork.
Featured image credit: Credit: Charlton Athletic Community Trust & EFL in the Community
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