February 11, 2020 4.17 pm This story is over 48 months old

Success for Lincoln school’s girls’ football team in County Finals

They will now move on to a regional tournament

A girl’s football team from Lincoln, who were only formed a year ago, beat off competition from other school sides to win the County Finals and advanced through to a regional tournament.

Manor Leas Junior Academy’s girl’s team, aged 9-11, scored an incredible 19 goals across five games in the tournament, which was held at Skegness Playing Fields on February 8, including beating Boston West 4-1 in the final. Nine schools from across the county, all local tournament winners, met at the 3G pitch for the finals.

The result also means the girls’ team are now through to the ESFA Danone Regional finals tournament in Nottingham in March, where they will face other county winners from across the Midlands. The winners will then advance onto the National finals.

After forming in 2019, the group of 10 students at the school put in a string of impressive performances. Back in November, they beat nine schools in the City Championships before their latest accolade in the County Finals. The school also entered a boys team, but unfortunately they did not reach the final.

Manor Leas Junior Academy girls’ team pictured with coaching team Rob Belt and Emily Williamson. Photo: Manor Leas Junior Academy

Rob Belt, PE lead and coach at Manor Leas, said:  “The girls really are amazing, they each bring something very special to the team and the success that they’ve now had is all down to their hard work! We’ve now put a lot of plans in place to prepare them for regionals!

“Some of these girls hadn’t even played football before this year, now they’re lacing up, week in week out, aiming right for the top!”

Imogen Rawlings, team captain, added: “It’s great to represent the school, the teachers are so encouraging for us, we’re very excited for the tournament but we know it’s another level & we’ll be ready!”

The tournament also hosted teams who had all won their respective local rounds. The winning schools in the county finals were:

  • School team – Bourne Westfield (runner-up – St. Michael’s Louth)
  • Small school – Corby Glen (runner-up – Wyberton, Boston)
  • Girls – Manor Leas Junior Academy (runner-up – Boston West)