On Saturday 10th June, a team from Woking District Girls U11 football travel to Derby for the National Finals of the ESFA (English Schools FA) Premier League District competition. The District side is drawn from girls in Years 5 and 6 at primary schools across Woking, with 13 different schools being represented in their current squad of 23.
This is the first time the girls team have ever qualified for the National Finals and Woking are one of two qualifiers from the South-East region. They will be up against teams from across the country including Preston, Sunderland and Swansea in the 8-team finals that take place at the Academy facility of Championship side, Derby County.
The girls have played over 30 league and representation matches this season and have developed hugely, both as individual players and as a squad as the season has progressed. Amongst many memorable games, highlights have included coming back from 3-1 down to beat West Kent 4-3, beating Croydon and Sutton home and away in the Surrey league and making the long trip to Gloucester twice, being unbeaten in their festival on the first trip and winning a very competitive friendly 4-3 on the second visit.
Manager Adam Gunn said “To be in the national finals is just unbelievable, a huge testament to their hard work. When you look back on their footballing journey, it's lovely to see reward, especially when so much hard work has gone in from everyone - players, coaches and parents. It is a fantastic achievement for the girls and we are all really looking forward to this opportunity.”
If you would like to find out more about Woking District football, which also has a thriving boys section, please visit the website www.wokingprimaryschools.co.uk