Watford goalkeeper Shayla Burgess inspired nearly 200 female footballers of the present and future when she called in at a Girls World Cup Festival at Passmores Academy in Harlow on Monday 22nd June.
The festival and small-sided competition were organised with the intention of engaging more females in the game and to celebrate National School Sports Week whilst building on the excitement of England’s progress in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.
The girls took the opportunity to wish England well for the rest of their tournament. Each attendee also left with a flyer to promote Wednesday night training sessions at Frontiers Girls FC.
Plans materialised when Laura Tyler, PE Coordinator from local primary school Pear Tree Mead, applied to the English Schools FA for a girls football grant. Laura was successful, so she contacted Emma Burden, Football Development Officer at the Essex County FA, to run a girls festival. Passmores was selected as the venue as they have vast experience of hosting similar festivals at their fantastic facility, going above and beyond with their support.
Girls in school years three and four took part in the morning, with years five and six following in the afternoon, and eight female Young Leaders from Passmores helped out with the events on the day. Shayla was the special guest for a Question & Answer Session, where she was asked about her training programme and how many ‘keepy uppies’ she could do, as well as if she needed to be brave to play in goal and if she knew which way to dive!
The presentation at the end included a photo opportunity and autographs with Shayla before certificates were handed to every girl. There were also five ‘Embrace the Day’ awards for each age group which were presented to the players who worked hard and played with a smile on their face. The mementoes included FA pens, fluffy bugs and water bottles. Each school was left with four extra water bottles each to give to their outstanding performers.
Emma was able to look back on another triumphant festival, explaining: “We were fortunate that The FA’s Jackie Bushell, who is also the First Team Coach at Watford Ladies FC, was able to bring Shayla with her. Jackie was also visiting the site as she is the Regional Officer for Vauxhall Football ‘Mash-Ups’ and Passmores is one of the sites which delivers them.”
“We’re very grateful for all Laura from Pear Tree Mead’s help in making this event a success, and for driving a lot of the schools football activities in her area. Thanks also go to the Young Leaders from Passmores, Gareth Walsh from Passmores, The FA and Essex County FA staff for their support and, of course Shayla.”
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