Football is cool for girls and can make an enormous difference to engagement with sport. We speak to two schools that reaping the rewards of championing the game
At Royal Russell School in Croydon, football has been part of the mix for many years. The leafy 110-acre campus lends itself to the full range of sports in both school and social time. But in the past decade it has become a cornerstone of the school’s sporting offer, says Head of Girls’ Football, Aimee Watson. “The game first gained momentum here because of its inclusivity, as it appealed to pupils across all age groups and abilities. Today, football is one of our flagship sports.
The school runs a comprehensive programme for both boys and girls, competing nationally in ISFA and ESFA competitions, and also offers memorable experiences such as tours of St George’s Park (the English Football Association’s national centre) and Spain. “The growth of football has been remarkable, and it reflects both pupil demand and our commitment to giving them the very best opportunities.”
“It is now seen as completely ‘normal’ to play as well as watch the game – pupils view it as a woman’s sport”
While boys’ love of playing football has long been evident – even in the most traditional of schools – it’s the rise of girls’ football that is so exciting right now. “Our programme has expanded significantly and is now one of the most vibrant parts of school life,” says Aimee Watson. “We’ve invested in specialist coaching, competitive fixtures, and development resources to ensure girls at every level can thrive.”
And this is more than knockabout stuff, with girls aiming for the top. “Today’s generation of girls want to play football because it is exciting, dynamic, and aspirational – they see it as a sport where they can express themselves, work as a team, and compete seriously,” adds Aimee Watson. She sees the rise of the professional game and clear pathways to progress as key to growth at school level.
Royal Russell works to support high ambitions by offering a structured programme supported by UEFA A coaches, GPS tracking, VEO video analysis, and strength and conditioning training. Aimee Watson says there’s no doubt that the recent successes of the Lionesses has made a huge difference. “The professional women’s game has shown that football is a space where girls can thrive.”
It’s important to tailor sport to every level, and the school caters to everything from recreational players to elite performers. It mirrors professional coaching in teaching passing football – an approach that Aimee Watson describes as being about teamwork, creativity and playing with intelligence. “Everyone is involved in the play. It mirrors the modern professional game, builds technical skill and decision-making, and fosters a shared sense of achievement when the team succeeds together.”
Royal Russell offers scholarships and bursaries for the most talented, and scholars receive additional support through personalised development plans, mentoring and access to specialist resources, also benefiting from the school’s strong links to professional clubs. Football tours, elite fixtures, and tailored training are designed to ensure that gifted players are continually stretched and supported.
Parents are very supportive of Royal Russell’s commitment to the sport, and the school is seen as a hub for football development locally. Alongside the success of school teams in local and national fixtures, there are some starry alumni to add team pride. These include Reanna Blades, playing for Sunderland AFC and Jamaica, and Rosie Rowe, now playing with Crystal Palace U21. And in the men’s camp there’s Newcastle United and England’s Tino Livramento, while Rhys Norrington-Davies dons a shirt for QPR and for Wales. “We are especially proud of our alumni,” says Aimee Watson. “They embody the legacy of football at Royal Russell and inspire the next generation of pupils to follow in their footsteps.”
At Sydenham & Dulwich Girls GDST, sport in all its forms is celebrated. But football is coming into its own among girls, say the Sports Department. It grew exponentially following the Lionesses’ success in 2022. Now, Sydenham & Dulwich runs a full fixture programme, including cups and tournaments, with over 100 girls regularly competing for the school, and teams.
The teaching team here say the rising profile of women’s football continues to be a massive motivator. From international success and media exposure down to grass roots – many more girls’ teams are appearing locally – it’s proof of the ‘see it to be it’ theory. The Sports Department add that it is now seen as completely ‘normal’ to play as well as watch the game – pupils view it as a woman’s sport. Girls are excited about opportunities to play and train, and many of their role models are female footballers.
Sydenham & Dulwich Girls offers a year-round programme of after-school fixtures, as well as team training before school. There are inclusive lunchtime clubs to encourage all girls to have a go, whatever their experience level. It’s now a core sport on the curriculum and is supported by Girls United Football Club coaches and specialist staff.
Sports Scholars include girls who were chosen for their footballing ability, and other scholars have taken up football since joining the school. MAT & High-Performance Programmes support girls playing at Academy and Club level through access to physiotherapy, nutrition and sports psychology. And girls who show real potential are able to play among older year groups to bring on their talent.
While Sydenham & Dulwich Girls hasn’t carried home any major school football trophies yet, the Sports Department are proud of their wins in over half of all football fixtures played last year. Capitalising on these results, and the enormous enthusiasm for the game, there are further investments in the sports ground and in providing even more specialist training. The Sports Department say they are doing the groundwork and enjoying the development path towards that bulging football trophy cabinet.
Sydenham & Dulwich Girls GDST sydenhamdulwichgirls.gdst.net
Royal Russell School royalrussell.co.uk
Further reading: Why cricket rules as a great school sport
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