Huntingdonshire primary school girls enjoy World Cup Football Festival

For HSSP's penultimate inter-school sports event of the academic year, more than 115 girls from 11 primary schools travelled to St Neots Town Football Club on July 4 for the afternoon festival of fun.

More than 115 girls took part in the special festival organised ahead of the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup. (Image: Hunts School Sports Partnership)

Linked to the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup later in July, each team was given a country to represent who has qualified for the World Cup finals.

Each team were given the opportunity to play friendly matches against seven different teams and encouraged to wear the colours of the nation they were representing, and even create banners, flags and wear face paint.

Crosshall Junior School in St Neots brought two teams to the festival, one representing Brazil and the other Canada. (Image: Hunts School Sports Partnership)

A spokesperson for HSSP said: "Rather than focusing on goals scored and the result of each match, children could be nominated for a School Games Value award, which looks to celebrate key values such as determination, honesty, passion, respect, self-belief and teamwork.

A Winhills Primary Academy player goes on the charge during one of their friendly fixtures. (Image: Hunts School Sports Partnership)

"Whilst also looking to celebrate three festival awards; Goalkeeper Save, Goal and Celebration of the event. Congratulations to all the values and festival award winners."

Crosshal Junior School in St Neots won the sportsmanship award, St Helen's Primary School in Huntingdon won the teamwork award and Maya and Sophie of Westfield Junior School and St Helen's shared the determination award.

As the @Lionesses make their way to the @FIFAWomensWorl3 Year 5&6 girls from Huntingdonshire primary schools wanted to pass on a good luck message. COME ON ENGLAND!! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿@YouthSportTrust @BarclaysFooty @HuntsFA pic.twitter.com/ozhEWvivWL

— Hunts SSP (@HuntsSSP) July 6, 2023

Houghton Primary School pupil Hattie won the honesty award, and Benji, from Winhills Primary Academy, won the self-belief award.

Players from Houghton Primary School in Huntingdon represented England at the festival. (Image: Hunts School Sports Partnership)

The save of the festival was made by Harriet of Holywell Church of England Primary School, goal of the festival was scored by Ona, also from Holywell, with Warboys Primary Academy pupil Amy producing the celebration of the festival.

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Game on Girls Football Activators from Hinchingbrooke School helped set up the venue, provided warm-up activities and refereed the friendly matches.

Players from Bushmead Primary School in St Neots played as Australia at the festival. (Image: Hunts School Sports Partnership)

Despite the persistent rain, the activators' enthusiasm and professionalism were unwavering and helped ensure the festival was a success.

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Little Paxton Primary School brought two teams to the festival, one representing France and the other Germany. (Image: Hunts School Sports Partnership)

Schools that took part

• Brampton Village Primary School
• Bushmead Primary School
• Crosshall Junior School
• Holywell CofE Primary School 
• Houghton Primary School 
• Little Paxton Primary School
• Priory Junior School
• St Helen's Primary School
• Warboys Primary Academy
• Westfield Junior School
• Winhills Primary Academy 

Warboys Primary Academy brought two teams to the festival, one Netherlands and the other New Zealand. (Image: Hunts School Sports Partnership)

Westfield Junior School in St Ives brought two teams to the festival, one representing Ireland and the other South Africa. (Image: Hunts School Sports Partnership)