WIGAN ATHLETIC COMMUNITY TRUST HOLD EFL UTILITA GIRL’S CUP WITH ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL TAKING HOME THE TROPHY!

Schools from across Wigan and Leigh competed to represent Latics in the upcoming regional tournament
After a highly competitive tournament, St. Mary’s were crowned the champions
St. Mary’s will go on to represent Latics against other EFL teams in the New Year

St. Mary’s Catholic High School crowned champions of EFL Utilita Girl’s Cup after a highly competitive tournament at Stadium Way.

The annual tournament invites Girl’s Football teams from schools across Wigan and Leigh to represent Latics in future rounds of the tournament, with this year’s tournament featuring 11 secondary schools for a total of 18 teams.

Following a tournament full of hard work and determination from all the teams, it took penalties to separate the two finalists. After a 0-0 draw in regular time, St Mary’s Catholic High School held their nerve to win the shootout against Bedford High School.

Katie Sanderson, a PE teacher at St. Mary’s, who coached the team said, “It’s the competition that you don’t get within school as often and the girls really enjoy that.

We [won] last year and we got quite far, so we’ll take this team to the next tournament and see how we go. They’re all really excited.”

Football and Development Officer at Wigan Athletic Community Trust, Ben Chapman added, “It’s great to see so many girls down here playing football.

It’s important to have events like this because not all these girls will get the opportunity to play outside of school at a free event in a great facility.

There’s been a massive impact on girl’s football all over Wigan, especially since the Euros. We run [girl’s football] sessions Monday to Thursday and the numbers in those have really grown and continue to grow, which is really good.”

Community | 11 SECONDARY SCHOOLS FROM ACROSS WIGAN AND LEIGH TAKE PART IN EFL UTILITA GIRL’S CUP