A celebration of women’s and girls’ football was in full flow at a special Summer of Spurs festival today, with Ella Morris and Anna Csiki joining in the fun.
The event at New River Leisure Centre, in White Hart Lane, continued Tottenham Hotspur Foundation’s extensive work to provide playing opportunities for women and girls across the local area.
It included skills stations, mini challenges and small-sided games, with both Spurs and England merch given out as prizes to help celebrate the Lionesses’ recent Euros triumph.
Ella was called up by the England senior squad for the first time earlier this year, unfortunately being forced to withdraw due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury picked up in training.
Our 22-year-old defender helped inspire girls today by taking part in a Q&A session and is looking forward to inspiring from the pitch again as her rehabilitation continues.
She said: “This has been really nice. It’s amazing to not just see young girls down here, but see them very much enjoying it, meaning they’ll hopefully be inspired to carry on in the future.
“Growing up, I used to do camps like this, but they’d be mixed, with boys and girls, so I never really got the opportunity to see what my future could look like. It’s a nice moment to be here and feel like we can inspire the next generation.
“As a player, I want to know the Club I play for is dedicated to the growth of the women’s game and to have this opportunity to come down to events like this, with the Foundation, it really gives us that sense of belief.”
Anna added: “At these girls’ ages, I was still playing with boys. I really enjoyed it and loved going to training, but I’m a bit jealous of what they’ve got here to be honest!
“It’s just so nice to see so many girls kicking a ball around, having fun and enjoying themselves. I’m really happy to be here and try to help inspire the next generation.”
Among participants was 13-year-old Madina, who has started playing in our Academy set-up after taking part in the Foundation’s Premier League Kicks sessions.
She said: “The Foundation coaches are really nice and the sessions, like this one today, are a lot of fun. They helped me understand teamwork, the community and I’ve made friends.
“It was cool to see Ella and Anna here. I learnt how everyone has a different journey and that things don’t come to you immediately – it takes hard work and dedication. This will help me going forward.”
Kafele Morgan brought along players from his Kick Action girls’ football team to the event and described the difference it makes.
“It’s good for the girls to come down here in the school holidays and be able to enjoy playing. You can see how it helps keep them engaged, building confidence and social skills. Foundation events like this that are accessible – because they’re free and not all girls have parents able to pay for sessions – are much needed.”
Summer of Spurs continues with various sessions for boys and girls across the next month, plus a series of three girls’ football events over 26, 27 and 27 August back at New River Leisure Centre. The full programme is here.
During school term time, the Foundation runs Lily’s Little Stars football sessions for girls aged 6-10, at Powerleague Tottenham between 5pm and 6pm on Mondays, and Houndsfield Primary School, in Enfield, between the same times every Thursday.
It also runs Premier League Kicks sessions for older girls at the same school on Thursdays, between 5pm and 8pm.
For local girls excelling at football, there is a Foundation Football Centre at Douglas Eyre Sports Centre, in Walthamstow, between 5.30pm and 7pm on Fridays.
In addition to opportunities for girls, the Foundation hosts walking football for women aged 40 and above. These take place at Duke’s Aldridge Academy, next door to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, between 6pm and 7.30pm every Tuesday.
Head to the Foundation webpages for more details.