Over a dozen primary schools have been recognised for the amazing progress they have made in girls’ football.
In a scheme run by Dartford’s Community team, 15 schools were acknowledged for offering Equal Access Sporting opportunities by the FA and Barclays. They each completed a five-week, girls-only football programme, with the girls ranging from Year One to Year Six.
The full list of schools recognised are: Crockenhill Primary School; Dartford Bridge Community Primary School; Fleetdown Primary Academy; Hextable Primary School; Horton Kirby Primary School; Joydens Wood Junior; Manor Community Primary School; New Ash Green Primary School; Oakfield Primary Academy; Sedley’s C of E Primary School; Sutton-at-Hone Church of England Primary School; Temple Hill Primary Academy; The Brent Primary School; Gateway Primary School and Wentworth Primary School.
Dartford Communities Project Officer Julie Sutherland said: “We have received some wonderful feedback from the schools that have wanted to be part of the scheme. Some have chosen girls that are interested in football, while others have picked every year group so they get a turn.
“For me, it’s about getting them interested in football, so that some can come to our club in the future, either as fans or players.
“We are helping get a lot of girls into football. Often, I go back into the schools to teach PE or doing an after-school club and girls are coming up to me saying how much they enjoyed it and that’s the highlight for me, watching their confidence grow.
“When they play the boys in their PE lessons, they might not get involved as much, but here they can really throw themselves into it and often surprise themselves.”
The schools will be presented with a trophy from DFC Community staff Julie, Liam Burton, George Boulton, Ian Varley, Foday Tarawali and Elliot Leveson.