Leasowe Girls Football Tournament returns for its third season

The momentum and excitement around women’s football continues to grow and on Saturday 31 August over 320 girls from 28 grassroots teams across Merseyside will come together for the annual Leasowe Girls Football Tournament.

The tournament, which is now in its third season, will see 59 matches played across the day. Its aim is to create a safe space for young girls to play and enjoy football, whilst at the same time increasing their confidence, developing teamwork and experiencing something really positive.

Supported by sporting partners including Everton in the Community and LFC Foundation, plus St John Ambulance who will deliver first aid workshops, and Merseyside Youth Association who will be on hand to offer life-changing opportunities and mental health support for young people.

The project has evolved from work by Constable Claire Ryan from Merseyside Police’s Wirral Community Team with the aim of creating safer communities and greater opportunities for young people who live and work in them. It also gives Merseyside Police an opportunity to engage with young people on a different level, to improve relationships and build trust and confidence with them.

Constable Claire Ryan, Wallasey Community Team, said: “I’m so proud to be involved in this tournament and see firsthand how the girls embrace the opportunity in front of them. Positive activities like this are crucial in increasing the girls’ confidence, developing teamwork and more importantly having fun with their peers.

Merseyside Police is committed to working with our partners and communities and the Leasowe Girls Football Tournament is a great example of what can be achieved when working together, making it much more than a sporting event.”

Danny Chu, Volunteer Wirral Area Manager, St. John Ambulance, said: "St. John Ambulance will be present again this year, and our volunteers will be on hand to demonstrate lifesaving skills in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, automated external defibrillation, and bleeding control. First Aid saves lives, and St. John Ambulance is about to start a national campaign, Save A Life September, which focusses on engaging members of the public to learn lifesaving skills."

Dale Davies, Football Development Lead for Everton in the Community, said: "We're looking forward to the return of the annual Leasowe Girls Football Tournament. It's such a fantastic event that helps to inspire and raise aspirations for young females across Merseyside and we're thrilled to be a part of the project for the third year running."

Jessica Gouldson, THINK Project Worker, Merseyside Youth Association, said: “I am excited to attend the Leasowe Girls Football Tournament again this year. This is a great opportunity for young girls and it's amazing to see so many teams getting involved, which is a huge success in the development of girl's football in Merseyside. I am grateful to be apart of it by talking to the girls around health and wellbeing.”

Leasowe Girls Football Tournament will be held at Leasowe Recreation Centre, Twickenham Drive, Wirral CH46 1PF, on Saturday 31 August between 12-6pm.