Girls' U15 sixes are champs

If the boys can do it, so can the girls it seems. Inspired perhaps (or perhaps not) by St Bede’s 1st XI winning the England Schools’ Football championship in April, girls’ football has suddenly taken off at the Senior School and within weeks of beginning training the Girls’ U15 Sixes are independent schools’ national champions.

Held at Stamford, the championship was the first competitive tournament for the St Bede’s team. But they quickly discovered that they had two secret weapons in Elena South and her precision striking and the safe hands of goal keeper Sophie Rudge. The rest of the team proved themselves through strong defence and playing the ball swiftly around the pitch to create a host of opportunities for St Bede’s.

In the semi-final St Bede’s beat Derby 1-0 and in the final Alleyns 1-0.

The U19 Girls’ team, led by Olivia Bohac also had a tremendous first tournament, winning through to the semi-finals by beating Stamford High, Leweston School, Wycombe Abbey, Ascot and Cheltenham Ladies College.

Said coach Sharon Muxworthy: ‘This is the first time we have played girls’ football competitively and we really didn’t know what to expect. But I think the sport is here to stay at St Bede’s – it is certainly very popular amongst the girls and currently both age groups are progressing through the English School Football Association competitions’.