Schoolgirls from Ruskin School's football team have claimed their first piece of silverware after triumphing in the Swindon Primary Schools Girls Cup.
The final on May 7 saw Ruskin Girls take on Millbrook Girls in what turned out to be a nailbiter of a game. Ruskin raced into a 2-goal lead but Millbrook had clawed things back by the 90th minute forcing extra time.
Two further goals from Ruskin in the additional period saw them claim the trophy and cap off an eventful season of football and avenge previous cup heartbreak for the young players.
In November 2021 they competed in the English Schools Football Association Cup, where they made it to the County finals.
The Wiltshire final was held in Devizes, where Ruskin won their group and a penalty shootout to make the final where they were beaten 1-0.
After this disappointment, the team was invited by Swindon Town to represent the club at the Premier League Primary Stars tournament in Cardiff.
They beat Forest Green, Newport and Swansea, but fell to a narrow defeat in the semi-final against Bristol Rovers.
Ruskin began its journey to the cup final win in March where the team went unbeaten in the group stage. They were dominant in their quarter final before edging through to the final on penalties in the semi-final.
But while this marks a massive achievement for the players, it also caps off a rise in the profile and quality of girl's football in Swindon.
A spokesperson from the school said: The profile and quality of girls football has increased massively in the last few years thanks to a number of factors.
Mrs Ward, the school’s Pupil Support Administrator, sponsored the girls in memory of her late husband. This was the first time the girls had been able to have their own new kit and the purchase of equipment such as shin pads, goalie gloves and footballs meant that they could give it a go without having to spend any money themselves.
"The sight of the distinctive pink kit and hoodies on match days has led to other children aspiring to play for the school and signing up to football clubs."
The school also praised the efforts of teach coach Mr Burgess, touchline assistant Mrs Hartley and SJR sports coaches Mr Musty-Jackson and Mr Robertson for their promotion of, and time invested into the school's girls football team, as well as parents.
"This year, the parental involvement has really taken off with parents wearing the team colours and supporting the team to attend their fixtures."
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