Girls' Football League Final at Crystal Palace

Having won the borough finals in the Girls' Football League, six excited year 5 and 6 girls set out on the long journey to Crystal Palace National Sporting Arena for the chance to compete against winners from other leagues in the 32 other London boroughs.

Gathering on a frosty morning at 7am at Chingford station, we began the long journey accompanied by Sports Leaders from Chingford Foundation School. 

When we arrived we enjoyed the Opening Ceremony in which England Ladies' Football goalkeeper, Shobian Chamberlain, and England World Cup winning Rugby player and patron of the event Maggie Alphonsi, spoke about how they'd started their sporting careers at the London Youth Games years earlier.

Our 3 matches in the group stage took place under a giant dome. Our competitors were St Joseph's Catholic from Westminster, St Hames the Great from Croydon and Grange Primary from Ealing.

First match 0-0, second match lost 1-0, Third match won 2-0. Finished second place in group stage

After lunch, we drew the boroughs of Richmond, Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith and Fulham. Lost first match 0 - 4 against an outstanding Richmond team, second match 0-1 against the run of play and lost last match 5 - 0.

We came away knowing that we are in the top 16 girls' teams in London - no mean feat!!