Local schoolchildren impress as Beacon hosts national football tournament

It was a day to savour for Howletch Lane Primary School students on Friday as the Beacon of Light hosted the Premier League Primary Stars U11 National Girls Football Tournament.

The talented youngsters were joined by representatives from Carlisle, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and Newcastle United, as they engaged in a morning mental health workshop before having a tour of the Stadium of Light.

With the tournament getting underway at the Beacon of Light in the afternoon, students of Howletch Lane Primary were hopeful of landing silverware on home soil.

Ava Chester, Lucy Horseman, Macey Burton, Honor Brown, Emily-Grace Readman, Freya Turner and Erin Champley donned their football shirts in style, wearing Sunderland AFC’s 2022-23 away kit, paired with blue shorts and white socks.

An emphatic victory over Hartlepool, an enthralling score draw against Newcastle and a goalless draw against Middlesbrough was enough to see the girls secure a semi-final berth.

A pulsating semi-final witnessed another close encounter with Middlesbrough albeit it was the visitors who would progress courtesy of a last-minute winner.

SAFC Women new recruits Brenna McPartlan and Esther Morgan were also in attendance to cheer on the girls, providing words of wisdom throughout.

McPartlan, who signed for the lasses from Louisiana State University earlier this month was impressed with what the Beacon of Light had to offer. “In America, they have some top-class facilities, which was one of the reasons I ended up going to America, but coming to the Beacon of Light today, I’ve been very impressed with these facilities.

“They’re top class and these girls are very lucky to have the opportunity to play here.”

Seeing a tournament of this magnitude held at the Beacon, bringing local schoolchildren together, McPartlan revealed it highlights the growth and the popularity of the women’s game within the region. “It’s so exciting, especially coming on the back of the Euro’s and how many girls in that team do come from the North East.

“It’s great for these young girls to be able to play in tournaments like this.”

Morgan, another recent arrival, who joined the Black Cats on loan from Tottenham Hotspur for the rest of the season, was quick to heap praise on the Howletch Lane students, admitting she was very impressed with the local talent on display.

“It’s an amazing opportunity for these girls to play in such an amazing facility and it’s great to see the quality they possess. Even though they’re still young, they play such good football.”

Having just moved to the area from London, Morgan was also visiting the Beacon for the first time. “It’s amazing. I’ve been overwhelmed by it really. I didn’t know what to expect being here, but the pitches that I’ve seen are amazing.

“If you haven’t visited the Beacon before, I would strongly encourage you to come and check it out.”

Group Stage results:

Sunderland 3-0 Hartlepool

Sunderland 0-3 Carlisle

Sunderland 2-2 Newcastle

Sunderland 0-0 Middlesbrough

Semi Final:

Sunderland 0-1 Middlesbrough

Winners

Middlesbrough