Schoolchildren representing Newcastle United are heading the National Finals of the biggest ever Premier League Primary Stars Girls Tournament after securing victory in the North East Regional Semi-Finals.

Footballers of the future proudly played for Newcastle United, Sunderland AFC, Middlesbrough FC, Hartlepool United FC, and Carlisle United FC at the semi-finals hosted by Newcastle United Foundation this week.

Competing for the opportunity to play on the pitch at Vicarage Road, home of Watford FC, at the National Finals in May, teams from schools across the North East and North West all faced one another before entering two semi-finals and one overall final.

Ovingham Middle School representing Newcastle United emerged victors from the North East Regional Semi-Finals – securing their place in the Premier League Primary Stars Regional Girls Tournament 2022.

Adam Herczeg, Newcastle United Foundation Primary Area Coordinator, said: “It’s been fantastic for Newcastle United Foundation to host the North East Regional Semi-Finals and for Newcastle United to be progressing to the national finals.

“It’s our first Premier League Primary Stars Girls Tournament since the pandemic began and the first time these pupils have had the opportunity to play in a tournament like this which has been a great experience for them.

“We were thrilled to make their day extra special by hosting the official Premier League Trophy which was inspirational for the teams to see in person and to play in front of.

“The girls playing were also really pleased to see and meet Newcastle United Women Captain Brooke Cochrane who led our trophy presentation on the day.”

He added: “The tournament was a huge success thanks to the continued support of the Premier League, Newcastle United, the Professional Game Match Officials Board, Barclays and all the clubs and schools taking part in the Regional Semi-Finals.”

To mark the fifth anniversary of Premier League Primary Stars, the 2022 tournament is the first time all Club Community Organisations (CCOs) have been invited to take part in the event with more than 100 CCOs joining a series of ten regional events to qualify for the National Finals.

And to celebrate the occasion, Newcastle United Foundation followed the tournament hosted at Newcastle University’s Cochrane Park with an exclusive stadium tour around St. James’ Park – home of Newcastle United – with a question-and-answer session about the Premier League Trophy.

Newcastle United will now play in the Premier League Primary Stars U11 National Girls Tournament Finals on May 18, 2022, at Vicarage Road.

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