Delivered by the Premier League Charitable Fund, the Under-16 girls’ tournament is one of the competition elements of the Premier League’s flagship community programme, Premier League Kicks, and celebrates the League’s commitment to increasing opportunities for girls and young women to play. More than 27,000 girls and young women took part in Premier League Kicks sessions last season.
Established in Season 2006/07, Premier League Kicks sees 89 professional football clubs, in some of the most high-need areas in England and Wales, run free weekly football sessions and positive activities to inspire young people to reach their potential.
City in the Community took part in the Under-16 girls’ tournament, for the chance to lift the 2024 Premier League Kicks Cup. Teams were also recognised for respect throughout the tournament, with fair play trophies awarded by Premier League, EFL and WSL match officials.
The group finished 14th out of the 24 teams on the day, which is a huge achievement as they not only reached that place out of teams on the day, but also out of the hundreds of teams that entered from the beginning.
Premier League Charitable Fund Chief Executive, Ruth Shaw OBE, said: “For over 17 years Premier League Kicks has provided free access to sport for young people across the country. Last season alone Premier League Kicks engaged more than 27,000 girls and young women, helping them to reach their potential on and off the pitch.
“This year’s Premier League Kicks Cup Under-16 girls’ tournament offered a fantastic opportunity for young people from different backgrounds to come together to play at the home of all 23 of England’s national football teams. It’s an experience they will never forget.”
The Premier League Kicks Cup Under-16 girls’ tournament is a celebration of how Premier League Kicks connects young people with football, providing positive opportunities to help them to reach their potential.
More than 550 girls representing more than 70 professional football clubs across England and Wales took part in regional qualifying tournaments earlier this year, in the hope of earning the chance to play in the Premier League Kicks Cup finals, in the playing kit of their professional football club side.
City in the Community’s Community Outreach Manager, Niamh Nolan, said: “It was a pleasure to be invited to the PL Kicks Cup National Finals after such a successful regionals tournament in April, where our under 16’s Kicks Girls team won the final.
“To be invited to play at St George’s Park in a National Tournament with 24 other teams is testament to how great the team have been throughout the whole process, and to finish 14th out of so many teams that entered is a great achievement.
“I would like to thank the Premier League for everything that they did on the day at St. George’s Park, they made sure the girls were looked after throughout the day, and they all came home with a smile on their faces.”
City in the Community empowers healthier lives with city youth through football. To find out more, visit www.mancity.com/citc or follow @citcmancity.
