Tag: Sports Participation

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International Women’s Day: Southend United Ladies pair inspire girls at Glebe Primary School

Southend United Ladies captain and vice-captain, Claudia Zajac and Sophie Lebeze, spoke with young girls at Glebe Primary School in Rayleigh as part of International Women’s Day.

Forming part of Southend United Community & Educational Trust’s Girls After School Club, the young girls were given the opportunity to ask the players a series of questions, centred around how the duo initially got involved in football and the type of opportunities that exist locally within women’s football.

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.

Darcy, a member of the Girls After School Club and Glebe Primary School pupil, commented:

“It was really cool to meet Claudia and Sophie.

“I took away to always try your best and don’t give up.

“Before today I didn’t know who Southend United Ladies were; all I knew was that girls play football at schools.

“I’m going to ask my parents if I can come to a game – maybe even for my birthday!”

For more information about Southend United Ladies including results, fixtures and team news, please visit @SouthendUtdLFC on Twitter.

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Demetriou visits Soccer Schools at Garon Park

Southend United’s Jason Demetriou took time out to visit children at Southend United Community & Educational Trust’s Soccer Schools at Garon Park this February half term.

In front of over 50 children, the Cypriot international answered a variety of questions on the best players he’s played against, his career highlights and what age he began playing football.

The children then got a photo with Demetriou on the Garon Park Astroturf.

Aiming to inspire future generations and create memories of a lifetime, Soccer Schools are delivered by qualified Community Coaches who run tailored, innovative and dynamic sessions where participants are able to fulfil their potential.

Demetriou commented:

“The setup here at Garon Park is fantastic and it was a brilliant turnout today.

“It was a great 15-20 minutes with the kids and I think they enjoyed it.

“This [Soccer Schools] is where the kids learn and it builds into the club’s future attracting younger fans.”

For more information about SUCET’s Soccer Schools, please contact Dan King on 01702 341351 or d.king@southendunited-cet.co.uk.

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Utilita EFL Girls Cup: Southend High School for Girls reach South Area final

Southend High School for Girls did themselves and Southend United proud in the Utilita EFL Girls Cup South Area Finals in Luton, as they were just a penalty shootout away from qualifying for the Regional Finals.

The EFL Girls Cup comprises of a six-a-side tournament for U-13 girls, culminating in a once in a lifetime opportunity to play at Wembley Stadium across the Sky Bet Play-Off weekend in May.

The girls went unbeaten in the group stages, registering an impressive four wins and two draws to qualify for the final four.

Peterborough were the opponents in the semi-finals as Southend High School for Girls progressed on penalties, following a 1-1 draw after extra time.

The Southend United representatives produced a valiant display against Wycombe Wanderers in the final, holding them to a 1-1 draw after extra time before bowing out on penalties in dramatic fashion.

Everyone at Southend United Community & Educational Trust would like to congratulate the girls for their brilliant efforts.

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Prince Avenue Academy pupils interview Frankie Banks as part of #iwill campaign

As part of the #iwill campaign, Prince Avenue Academy pupils Alex and Lacie from Southend United Community & Educational Trust’s Premier League Primary Stars programme got the chance to interview Southend United legend Frankie Banks.

The #iwill campaign makes social action part of life for young people, emphasising the power of youth.

Alex and Lacie, both in Year 3, turned interviewers for the day as they sat down with Frankie to ask him a range of questions around his career playing professional football and his role within the local community.

Having started at Southend United in 1958 as a 13-year-old, Frankie went onto make nearly 100 appearances as a Blues player.

Frankie has been a player, reserve team manager, assistant manager, first team manager and coach at Southend United and became the club’s first ever community officer.

For more information about SUCET’s PL Primary Stars programme, please contact Dan King on 01702 341351 or d.king@southendunited-cet.co.uk.

For more information about the #iwill campaign, please visit www.iwill.org.uk.

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Utilita EFL Kids Cup and Girls Cup first rounds complete

On Wednesday 23rd October and Thursday 24th October, the first round of the Utilita EFL Kids Cup and Girls Cup competitions took place at Waterside Farm Leisure Centre and The Len Forge Centre respectively.

Kents Hill Junior School came out on top in the EFL Kids Cup, whilst Southend High School for Girls reigned supreme in the EFL Girls Cup.

The EFL Kids Cup is a national six-a-aside tournament for junior footballers (U-11) which offers children the once in a lifetime opportunity to play at Wembley Stadium across the Sky Bet Play-Off weekend in May.

The EFL Girls Cup comprises of a six-a-side tournament for U-13 girls, culminating in a once in a lifetime opportunity to play at Wembley Stadium across the Sky Bet Play-Off weekend in May.

A total of 13 local primary schools split into 18 teams competed in the EFL Kids Cup.

In the semi-finals, Kents Hill Junior School beat Glebe Primary School and Chalkwell Hall Junior School (A) saw off Fairways Primary School.

Kents Hill Junior School ran out 2-0 winners against Chalkwell Hall Junior School (A) in the final and will represent Southend United in the second round.

A total of 10 local secondary schools split into 12 teams competed in the EFL Girls Cup.

In the semi-finals, Southend High School for Girls beat Shenfield High School (A) and The FitzWimarc School saw off Castle View School.

Southend High School for Girls ran out 1-0 winners against The FitzWimarc School in the final and will represent Southend United in the second round.

You can watch a full video summary of each competition below.

To view photos from each competition, please head to SUCET’s Facebook page.