Women's Football Academy Win the Double
The Cardinal Newman Women’s Football Academy Team are celebrating at the end of this season after winning not one but two League Trophies.
The team are finishing this season as the North West Regional League Winners as well as the North West Colleges League Winners, after an outstanding season of games.
Competing in both leagues, the team played competitive fixtures all around the North West, winning 9 out of 10 games in the AOC North West League, scoring an outstanding 75 goals, and winning 8 out of 10 matches in the North West Colleges League with a total of 51 goals.
Head Coach, Josh Mountain said: “The team have been absolutely brilliant this season and have worked incredibly hard since September. We started the year with a large number of new faces, as we had previously had a big cohort of Year 13 students, who obviously went on to pastures new when they finished their studies with us. However, our new Year 12s have stepped up immediately and have been integral to the team’s success, supported magnificently by our Year 13s who made sure the standards we expect were clear from the very start.
It has been a genuine pleasure to work with such a committed group of players this season and I'm so proud of everything they have achieved together over the last 9 months but most importantly - the manner in which they have done it. We are already looking forward to the 24/25 season and the new challenges ahead!"
This is our third season with a women’s academy team, and they have been going from strength to strength. We have had more individual successes this season with Year 13 student Emma Tunstall called up to join the England College’s Football Association (ECFA) team, which saw her form part of the winning team in a tour of Italy tournament. This is also the third year in a row that squad members have been called up to join the national side, but we couldn’t be prouder of each individual player and their achievements and attitude.
Team Captain, Ellie Broadhurst said: "Wow! What an incredible season! After the first training session with this team, I already knew that this season would not only be filled with achievements but with friendships that will last a lifetime. Not a single training session or match passed where we weren’t rolling on the floor laughing but still striving to achieve the best results and to play our best and I think that showed through our result in winning both leagues! The dedication within the team has been amazing to see, especially on the mornings when it’s been Baltic and raining- it definitely doesn’t get any easier, yet everyone always turns up with a smile on their face ready to give their best.
I’ve felt very privileged to be able to Captain this team and be a small part in the growth of the Cardinal Newman College Women's Football Academy, the support and coaching by both Josh and Jonathan is of the highest standard and has aided the success of this season! I can confidently say that they have improved the football ability of every single player that’s come through the Academy but also in aspects such as responsibility, dedication, and time management. On behalf of the 23/24 team a massive thankyou to them!"