Walmsley Primary to represent BWFC in Premier League Primary Stars National Girls Tournament 2023

Bolton Wanderers will be represented by Walmsley CE Primary School at this year’s Premier League Primary Stars National Girls Football Tournament, being held at Leeds United’s Elland Road Stadium on Wednesday 7 June.

The National Girls Football Tournament is one of the competition elements of the Premier League Primary Stars programme.

Primary school children representing 20 Premier League, English Football League and National League clubs will take part in a group-stage competition, before knockout matches commence to determine the winners. Newport County are the current title holders having won the tournament in 2022.

Richard Masters, Chief Executive of the Premier League, said: “Football is a game that everyone can enjoy and has the potential to empower and inspire people in their everyday lives.

“The tournament is a highlight of the Premier League Primary Stars calendar and every year I am impressed by the passion, teamwork and standard of play shown by all participants. Once again, I am sure this will be an exciting, competitive day of football.” 

More than 14,500 girls representing more than 100 professional football clubs from across England and Wales competed for their chance to represent their respective clubs in this year’s tournament. Participating teams have already won regional heats, earning themselves the chance to play on the pitch at Elland Road, in the playing kit of their professional football club.

The tournament will give those taking part the opportunity to experience the life of a Premier League footballer for the day and compete under the watchful eye of Premier League and Women’s Super League match officials.

Lisa Simpson, Programme Lead (Schools & Mentoring), said: “The girls have shown incredible dedication, teamwork, and determination to reach the National Finals.

“Seeing them overcome obstacles and achieve their goals is a testament to their hard work and the power of believing in oneself. We couldn’t be prouder as an organisation to witness their journey as they prove that gender knows no boundaries on the field.”

Premier League Primary Stars enables teachers to use resources across English, PSHE, PE and Maths, to support children to develop skills and values that are crucial to success in later life. Currently 103 professional football clubs from across the leagues run in-classroom Premier League Primary Stars sessions in local partner schools.

The free programme also provides teachers and parents with downloadable resources across a range of curriculum subjects at Key Stage 1 (age 5-7) and Key Stage 2 (age 7-11), developed by teachers for teachers, and in collaboration with experts such as the National Literacy Trust.

More than 61,000 teachers have signed up to access free online national curriculum-linked resources.