Schoolgirls' football team ready to represent borough (From Times Series)

Arsenal academy star to lead out Livingstone Primary School representing Barnet at London tournament

4:22pm Thursday 14th February 2013 in News By Chris Hewett

A schoolgirls’ football team is hoping its star player can lead them to glory at a London-wide tournament in Crystal Palace next month.

Livingstone Primary School’s Year Six A-team was recently crowned the best in the borough, giving the girls a chance to compete against other top teams from across the capital.

Star player Ruby Grant, ten, scored 35 of the team’s 47 goals in the four-a-side tournament involving more than 60 of the borough’s primary schools, at Mill Hill Powerleague on January 30.

Year Six teacher at the Cockfosters school, Rob Madle, said: “We never thought we would win - they were absolutely amazed. It’s massively improved their self-esteem and everyone in the school is talking about it.

“The girls’ game is big here and now the boys want to give them a game.”

Team captain Ruby will lead out her peers at the Crystal Palace Athletics Stadium on March 27, where they will take on champions from other London boroughs.

Headteacher Giovanna Phelan is hiring coaches to take some of the pupils down to support the team.

Star striker Ruby, who plays at Arsenal’s Borehamwood academy, says she is looking forward to the big tournament next month.

She said: “All the girls are thinking about it. We have to train and we’re going to work really hard. We couldn’t believe it when we won the last tournament - we were just jumping and screaming.

“More girls should be playing football and this is good because it will give the game a bit more publicity.”