Over 1300 girls participated in this year’s Electric Ireland Super Schools Tour.
The tour featured five seven-a-side regional football tournaments across Northern Ireland.
Brook Leisure Centre in Dunmurry was the first stop, followed by Cookstown’s Mid Ulster Sports Arena. Next stop was Lurgan Town Arena and then it was on to Coleraine Showgrounds. The final venue was the Valley Leisure Centre in Newtownabbey.
At each regional tournament participating schools played each other in two different age groups (Year 8/9 and Year 10/11). It meant there were 10 champions overall.
A total of 61 schools were involved across the five venues, with 70 teams in the 8/9 category and 53 in the 10/11 section.
The largest tournament was at the Valley Leisure Centre where 18 schools competed and Northern Ireland internationals Marissa Callaghan and Joely Andrews were among the spectators.
Parkhall Integrated College (Antrim) edged past east Belfast school Grosvenor Grammar on penalties in the 8/9 section, while Glengormley’s Edmund Rice College defeated north Belfast school Dominican College in the 10/11 final by a goal to nil.
Other winners across the five tournaments were St Louise’s (Belfast), Rainey (Magherafelt), St Paul’s HS Bessbrook and Ballymoney HS in the 8/9 section, while in the 10/11 section St Dominic’s (Belfast), Portadown College, Our Lady’s Grammar (Newry) and Larne Grammar all tasted glory.
Damian McLaughlin, Irish FA Foundation Schools and Futsal Officer, said: “The girls have been brilliant and really enjoyed themselves and it’s a fantastic way to wrap up the school year.
“I am delighted to see how much this competition has grown since last year and I hope next year we can add to the tour both in the number of venues and in the number of schools and girls involved.”
Anne Smyth from Electric Ireland added: “We are delighted to see such an incredible turnout at this year’s Electric Ireland Super Schools Tour. More than 60 schools from right across Northern Ireland took part, helping to bring more opportunities for young girls to enjoy the sport they love so much.
“The annual festival is part of our Game Changers movement to raise the profile of the women’s and girls’ game at all levels. Congratulations to all the teams and a big well done to our 2023 winners.”
