Women’s football fever gripped Northern Ireland this week, as more than 1,250 post-primary school girls competed in the Super Schools Festival, supported by Electric Ireland.
With the Women’s World Cup in full swing, Mallusk Playing Fields were abuzz as it hosted the 7 aside soccer competition.
There were 314 matches played in total at what was the biggest female football participation event in Northern Ireland.
Newly appointed Northern Ireland Women’s manager Kenny Sheils was in attendance, as was Northern Ireland captain Marissa Callaghan, who posed for pictures with excited fans.
The initiative has been an annual event for the past five years, where young aspiring female footballers compete in a 7 aside competition.
Wednesday’s festival was part of the Game Changers campaign which seeks to highlight the fantastic impact local female football is having on everyone involved with the game at all levels.
Electric Ireland, in partnership with the Irish FA, hope to boost the women’s game through its Game Changers campaign.
The aim is to inspire the next generation of female footballers and support the ambitious outreach to get more women playing football, as well as shining a light on the 10,000 plus Game Changers who play football each week in Northern Ireland.
Una Lavery, Northern Ireland Marketing Manager at Electric Ireland, said of the event: "It's fantastic to see that the football game is beginning to get the attention it deserves. The Game Changers campaign is really having an impact at all levels and it’s great to see the talent here today.”
