A girls' football team representing schools across Leeds has reached the national final of the English Schools Football Association Champions Cup Plate, just two years after the squad was first assembled.
A rapid rise
The Leeds Schools Girls U14 side was built through city‑wide trials, drawing talent from eleven different schools and nearly all of its players compete in the West Riding Girls Football League.
Head coach Matt Wainwright, who previously guided the team to a narrow defeat against Rotherham, says the side now has a real chance of lifting the trophy.
One of the youngsters expressed confidence that the team can win, while the final is scheduled to be played at Sixways Stadium in Worcester and will be broadcast live on YouTube with commentary.
Looking ahead
The match will pit Leeds against Knowsley, a borough in Merseyside, in what promises to be a closely contested encounter that highlights the growing popularity of girls' sport in the region.