St Stephen's Girls Footballers Lift Mayor's Cup
Uxbridge Road school triumphs in penalty shoot out
The team celebrates its win with Cllr Patricia Quigley (centre), Mayor of H&Fe
July 31, 2023
The girls’ football team from St. Stephen’s Primary School has triumphed in this year’s Mayor’s Cup.
They won in a tense penalty shoot-out on 17 July against Larmenier & Sacred Heart of Brook Green on an all-weather pitch at Hurlingham Park.
Larmenier were the favourites coming into the final having won the competition twice before and already picking up three trophies this season, not to mention taking part in the Premier League Primary Stars national finals tournament in Leeds in June where they finished in the top 10 in the country.
But St Stephen’s solid defending took the game into extra time, followed by a penalty shoot-out which they won 1-0 in the eight-a-side, 20-minute game refereed by Fulham FC’s Dominika Netschova.
The captain of the winning girls’ team, Scarlett Kruger, 11, said they were proud of winning the tournament which involved 34 schools from north and south of the borough, and 130 fixtures.
“I think we deserved it – we trained really hard – and even though we came into this match a bit scared, we overcame that fear and did well,” said the midfielder.
St Stephen’s head Michael Schumm, who was at the game along with parents, staff and cheering pupils, said, “I’m absolutely delighted that they won; they have played really, really well the last few months.
“The boys have won the tournament before, but this is the first time we’ve won with the girls. They are a fantastic team and it is lovely for their coach Alastair to go out on such a high.”
The boys’ final was played last week with Fulham’s Holy Cross beating challengers Earls Court free school 2-0 to lift the trophy.
St Stephen’s primary head coach Alastair Park said, “I couldn’t be prouder”.
Cradling four-month-old son Ezekiel in one hand and the trophy in the other, Alastair, who leaves the school in Uxbridge Road, Shepherd’s Bush, after eight years as PE teacher, said the 10 and 11-year-old girls fully deserved their victory.
“Today they just put in everything. I asked them to give 110% and they gave more than that, so I couldn’t be prouder,” he said. “When I joined, these guys were in nursery, so I’ve managed to see them all the way through! This means the world – the absolute world – to me.”
“Congratulations to St Stephen’s they defended resolutely. All credit to them and well coached by Alastair,” Larmenier head coach Cathal O’Connor said sportingly.
The crucial penalty shoot-out saw St Stephen's win the trophy
The competition – now in its 40th year – was organised by Calum Fairley, school games organiser for Hammersmith & Fulham.
“We have some big talent here,” said Calum, applauding both St Stephen’s and, who contested the final. “Some of these girls even play for QPR and Fulham FC.
“The aim is to get 75 per cent of girls in the borough having access to football by the end of next year. With the World Cup starting this week, we’re going to be doing some World Cup-themed girls’ football fixtures next year, too.”
Action on the pitch from Larmenier & Sacred Heart (in light blue/yellow) and St Stephen's (in dark blue)
Hammersmith & Fulham Mayor Cllr Patricia Quigley presented the trophy and the engraved medals to the winners and runners-up. Both teams had played 12 games and won their respective north and south leagues to compete in the final.
“I’m very proud to be here today to give out the Mayor’s Cup to the girls,” she said. “It’s great to sit here watching these amazing kids and to see the potential in them.
“I would encourage girls and young women to get involved in football. I think the days are gone when it is considered to be just a men’s game. It’s everybody’s game. It’s about keeping fit and teamwork.
“I would strongly encourage children in the borough generally to get involved in football, cricket, or any sport that takes their imagination.”
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