Girls’ football festival kicks off Summer of Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur Foundation’s Summer of Spurs programme got under way today (24 July), with girls of all ages enjoying a festival of football.

In addition to a freestyle workshop, two-versus-two matches and shooting practice, participants got an insight into the highest level of the women’s game as former Spurs Women captain Jenna Schillaci joined in the fun.

Among those at the event was Emily, 13, from Enfield, who said: “I enjoyed it a lot. We got prizes on our way around the activities, including for hitting top bins in shooting practice!”

Bow, nine, from Haringey, beamed: “I’d rate today as 10 out of 10! I liked the prizes and being able to practice my skills.”

Cara, 10, also from Haringey, added: “I’d rate it 10 out of 10 as well – I love playing football! I was nervous to play against the girls who are really good at first, but the activities helped us get involved with girls of all different abilities.”

Cara’s mum, Celeste Giusti, said: “It’s important to be able to access activities like this in the school holidays as it keeps up their activity levels and keeps them fresh-minded. It’s good for socialising and getting them mixing with others, too.”

Jenna said: “It was just full of girls loving football today. To see so many girls having fun and falling in love with football through Tottenham Hotspur is unbelievable. I’d have loved to have had something like this when I was younger.”

The number of women’s and girls’ teams across the country has more than doubled over the last seven years.

Our Foundation offers a host of opportunities for women and girls to play football and get active through its Weetabix Wildcats, Next Generation, Premier League Kicks, Huddle Project, Just Play, walking football and Shape Up with Spurs programmes, as well as through sessions delivered in schools.

Renee Hector, Foundation programme coordinator, said: “Today’s been perfect for everyone here to get involved. We’ve had a mixture of ages and abilities learning how to master basic skills or develop their game.

“With inclusivity a guiding principle of the Foundation, we’re proud to increasingly be able to offer activities for women and girls across our programmes.

“We’re now looking forward to an August packed full of activities for youngsters. Come along and join us for a Summer of Spurs!”

Jenna added: “Summer of Spurs is a great opportunity for kids to make friends and be active. One of the huge barriers in a community like Tottenham, when it comes to summer holidays, is price. Summer of Spurs is free, so it takes away that potential of some kids not being able to participate.”

Today’s festival took place at New River Sport and Fitness on White Hart Lane. The venue will be frequently used by the Foundation during its Summer of Spurs programme, with its multi-sports camps, summer league and various special events happening there throughout the school holidays.