Wealden Times | WT265 | June 2024 | Education Supplement inside

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Back of the Net
As we all cheer on the rise of girls football, we’re going behind the scenes at Queen Ethelburga’s
to find out how our schools can meet the new demand and achieve some fantastic goals
Supported by both excellent results by the
Lionesses and an ambitious growth strategy
by the FA, it is no surprise that women’s
football was the fastest growing UK sport in 2023,
according to the The Guardian.
Since the 2022 Euro win, QE have seen a huge
increase in the demand for girls’ football and so
the decision was taken to separate the boys and
girls football Performance Sport Pathway (PSP) to
provide the girls’ team with their own dedicated
coach who could fully get to know them as
players, individuals and team members.
As one Year 10 striker, Freya, says, “We pushed
for PSP Girls Football and encouraged our friends
to join so we could form a team but after the
Euros, we suddenly had 4 teams; U13, U14, U15,
U16!”
U16 winger, Megan, who also plays for
Clifford, adds, “I like being part of a non-main
sports team. It promotes that we had a choice
to play what we wanted to and not what was
expected of us. Having our own coach has made
such a difference because we study game scenarios
like putting the ball through more defenders and
reacting to losing the ball. He is great at reading
our game and each of our abilities to help us find
the right position and how to develop. We had
skill before but not that much knowledge on how
to apply it. Our team plays a cleaner game now.”
The PSP offers girls in Years 7-13 the choice
to train weekly both within the PE curriculum
lessons in the day and as a team after school. Each
student benefits from an Individual Development
Plan that comprises of coaching, nutrition,
strength and conditioning, physiotherapy, sports
massage and the latest tactical, technical, physical
and mental training. The programme allows
“Having our own
coach has made
such a difference
because we study
game scenarios”
for competing at a higher level and teaches
responsibility, resilience, teamwork and leadership
skills. It runs alongside a vast extra-curricular
sport, activity and fitness programme and includes
external talks and coaching sessions from scouts,
coaches and industry professionals.
Girls’ Football Coach, Sam Westhead says,
“The reaction to the Girls’ PSP has been fantastic.
Individually and collectively, the team have
really developed through the amount of training
and fixtures now on offer. The participation
rates continue to grow, and we have entered
multiple cup competitions across different age
groups, where we have seen some really pleasing
performances and results. I am looking forward
to helping the girls continue the excellent progress
they have made so far.”
Lead Football Coach, Paul Bolland, comments,
“Girls’ football continues to build momentum
at QE, with lots of students taking advantage
of curriculum lessons, activities and our PSP.
The fantastic progress made has enabled us to
play competitive fixtures in several national and
local competitions this year, and I am excited to
continue developing girls’ football at QE.”
The PSP takes place in QE’s dedicated Sports
Village on campus, which benefits from a
25-metre swimming pool, triple court sports hall,
gym and specialist studios. Outside, there is a
four-lane synthetic cushioned running track and
over 30 acres of professional grass and 3G artificial
pitches, which are used in the summer holidays by
Premier League U18 teams.
For more information about the Girls’ Football
PSP at QE and scholarships for girls’ football,
visit qe.org or email admissions@qe.org to book a
private tour.
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