On Wednesday 19th September 2012, England Women’s National team came to The Banks’s Stadium, home of Walsall FC to play their final EURO 2013 qualifier against Croatia. A successful 3-0 victory saw the National Women’s team qualify for EURO 2013 which is to be held in Sweden next summer.
Prior to the match a girls football festival organised by the FA was held in the Car Park at the ground and was supported by The Staffordshire FA, Stafford Town Ladies FC and South Staffordshire College. The football festival offered the opportunity for school groups and individuals to turn up and take part in a number of activities including 4v4 and football mash up, take the batak board challenge, have their photo taken with the Women’s Super League (WSL) Trophy and meet three of Birmingham City Ladies WSL players.
A number of local coaches and volunteers supported the event including 5 students from South Staffordshire College (one student took on the role of the WSL mascot Berry the Bear for the afternoon). Jules Kendrick, recently awarded both Staffordshire FA’s and the West Midlands Coach of the Year award, from Stafford Town Ladies supported the girls football festival and 3 other girls, Molly Rudoni, Jade Wood and Kerry Meekings from Stafford Town Ladies FC took on the role of the 3 Lions to support the team pitch side.
Over 5,800 people attended the fixture which was screened live on the BBC.
Should you require any further information regarding female football in Staffordshire, please contact Kevin Staples at the Staffordshire FA:
T: 01785 279828
M: 07969 294084
E: kevin.staples@staffordshirefa.com
