SAFC Women visit Beacon to showcase support

Sunderland AFC Women were in attendance at the Beacon of Light on Friday to show their support to local schools who were competing in the Foundation of Light's Premier League Primary Stars tournament.

Over 100 girls across 16 different schools were taking part, with the aim of the tournament to use football to create better people, using the Premier League’s values of: Be Fair; Be Inspiring; Be Ambitious; and Be Connected. 

The annual event, which is played in a five-a-side format, presents the ideal opportunity for girls who would not regularly play to give football a go.

In attendance, to cheer on the girls were Sunderland players Grace McCatty and Brianna Westrup. Ahead of the Lasses final game of the season against Blackburn Rovers, both players expressed their gratitude to the young girls for their fantastic support throughout the campaign.

To show their appreciation, McCatty and Westrup presented each player with a free match ticket. Westrup couldn’t hide her excitement ahead of the encounter with Rovers, and is looking forward to seeing so many new faces at Eppleton on 30 April. “It’s fantastic, not only for us but for them.

“Hopefully they can come and see a level they aspire to get to in the future. They have many years ahead of them but hopefully they can enjoy day out with their friends and hopefully they enjoy the football as well.”

Westrup was also full of praise for the Premier League Primary Stars tournament. “Today, they had so many values they were being encouraged on, not just winning and I think that’s a massive part of their personal development as a human being as well.”

It was announced earlier this week, the Lasses academy framework will now fully integrate the Foundation’s historic Regional Talent Centre, which will become Sunderland AFC Women’s Academy.

A pathway from Under-10 to Under-23 will support the first team and give players a clear route from a young age through to professional football.

Foundation of Light's Under-16 side defeated Charlton 3-1 in the FA Youth Girls’ Plate Cup Final earlier this month and following the introduction of the new academy, McCatty believes a bright future awaits the football club. “Historically, the city and area has been phenomenal for producing players.

“With the hybrid model and the introduction of the new academy, players can now join Sunderland at any age and know there is a direct pathway through to elite level. I’m excited to see what comes.”