A weekend of torrential rain forced a last minute change of plan to the primary school girls football festival organised by North Wiltshire District Council on Tuesday 11th November. Water-logged pitches prevented any play on grass but the event was able to continue thanks to the support of Charter Primary School in providing use of their artificial playing area.
This provided girls with a unique opportunity to play fast paced 5 a side football on artificial grass and the response was fantastic with exciting, end to end games being played out to a backdrop of enthusiastic support and cheering. Nearly 100 girls were involved in the event with the majority of teams being put in by Chippenham primary schools. Students from Abbeyfield School were able to referee and support the event and they did a great job in this respect.
The event was put on to provide girls with the opportunity to take part in inter school competition with a view to encouraging some of them to join local clubs and play more regularly. There was certainly a lot of talent on show and the nature of the pitch encouraged close control and the use of space to get past defenders. The Sports Development Officer for North Wiltshire was delighted with the event and there are now discussions taking place to secure further football dates for future tournaments on the back of this success.
NW District Council and Pete Hussey, and supported by Charter School's headteacher, are now thinking about the possibility of setting up a couple of dates in the New Year when Chippenham school's can bring teams to play after school round robin mini tournament on the astro.
Long term this could work really well in September and October and then end of January, February and March when the light permits us use of the facility until 4.30pm. End result - potentially 5 dates in the calendar year when girls come together to play in a dynamic little tournament.
For more information please contact Alex Muse or Bev Maull