Girls' football tournament draws 27 Devon teams to Exeter

EXETER City Community Trust's girls' football tournament, held at Cliff Hill Training Ground, brought together young players from under 10 to under 16 age groups for a day of competitive, high-spirited football that showcased the strength and depth of the women's game at grassroots level across the region.

Aaron Wakley, Women and Girls Football Development Officer at Exeter City Community Trust, said: “It was a great day of football in the sun; a really high standard right from the under 10s through to the under 16s, and lots of smiles on faces, which is always the main thing.

"It was brilliant to see so many young and aspiring footballers enjoying competitive football and having fun throughout the day. Every age group gave it their all - they competed strongly and respectfully and played with a real passion for the game. We're proud to have provided the platform for that. A huge thank you to the players, coaches and supporters who made the day so special. We can't wait for next year.”

The winners on the day were:

• Under 10s: Starcross Dons

• Under 12s: Broadclyst Lionesses

• Under 14s: Stoke Hill AFC

• Under 16s: Central Lions.

The tournament is part of Exeter City Community Trust's wider commitment to developing girls' and women's football in Exeter and beyond. The Trust delivers football for girls from the age of four, providing a clear and connected pathway for young female players to develop their skills, build confidence and progress through competitive football.

That pathway runs from junior grassroots activity right through to partnerships with Exeter College and ultimately to Exeter City Women's first team - giving girls in Devon a genuine route from their first kick of a ball to the highest level of the women's game available locally.

Included in this are the Grecian Girls sessions, which include Wildcats and Squad Girls. Wildcats provides a fun, inclusive introduction to football for girls aged 5 to 10, combining coaching with small-sided games and activities -focused on making friends, building confidence and, above all, having fun. For older girls aged 11 to 14, Squad Girls develops footballing skills while supporting participants to take the next step towards playing with a local grassroots club. Sessions take place at Exwick Sports Hub and are open to all.

The Girls' Development Centre gives talented young female players in Exeter and the surrounding areas the opportunity to develop through a technical and tactical programme, with weekly training sessions throughout the season and regional fixtures held during school holiday periods.

The centre has around 100 talented girls aged between nine and 16, training at Exeter City FC's Cliff Hill training ground, with the objective of identifying talented young female footballers - and it has already seen real success, with players following the pathway to the Exeter College Women's Football Academy and the Exeter City Women's first team.

For more information about opportunities for girls to play football visit www.exetercct.org