Football tournament helps to inspire the next generation of female players in Brent

Tottenham Hotspur Foundation hosted a girls’ football tournament for school children in Brent as part of the Club’s community engagement work in the Borough during our season at Wembley.

Over 40 girls aged 9-11 from seven schools in Brent took part in the tournament which was held at the Ark Academy on Friday 1 December.

The Foundation has been working with participants since September through its after-school football club for girls which has been delivered as part of the Club’s Primary School Sports programme in Brent. The initiative sees two specialist Development coaches based full-time in the Borough supporting 24 schools with football and sports activities in-line with the PE curriculum.

Working with the players during the six-a-side tournament was one of the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation’s newest members of the coaching team, Renee Hector, who also plays for the Spurs Ladies’ first-team.

Renee is employed by the Foundation to support the growth of female football across a number of its community projects and has been helping to develop young players’ abilities on the pitch, offering advice on skills and tactics, as well as acting as a positive young role model for those wanting to pursue a career in either coaching or playing.

Below: Spurs Ladies' defender and THF coach Renee Hector talks to the girls in Brent

Eniola, a student at Ark Academy Primary School, said: “I didn’t really think about playing sport before Spurs came into our school but I’ve really enjoyed the football sessions and definitely want to keep playing, developing my skills and maybe one day play for a team like Spurs Ladies.

Tyron Devonish, a teacher at Ark Academy Primary School, said: “Our pupils are reaping the benefits of the sports provision delivered by the coaches from Tottenham Hotspur Foundation. It is not only a great way to encourage them to be more active but it is helping them to develop important skills like team-work.

“Today’s tournament was a fun and effective way to encourage more of our female pupils to get involved in football.”

Nikki Kelly, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, said: “Our School Sports Programme in Brent is one of the many ways in which the Club is actively working with the local community during the Club’s season at Wembley.

“We’ve already witnessed the positive impact that this provision has among the schools we have been supporting across North London for many years, and we hope that our work will inspire more young people to actively get involved in sport.”

To find out more about the Club’s support for schools in Brent, please contact foundation@tottenhamhotspur.com