- Pupils from Queensmead Academy claimed the Under-11 Girls’ Premier League Primary Stars trophy on Tuesday
- The school came out on top in two thrilling penalty shootouts on their way to winning the competition
- Foxes captain, Ruby, claimed the tournament’s top-scorer award
- Primary Stars uses the appeal of the Premier League and professional football clubs to inspire children to learn, be active and develop important life skills
Held at Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Molineux Stadium, the Premier League Primary Stars football tournament saw 40 schools represent their clubs in the Under-11 mixed and Under-11 girls’ categories and gave hundreds of youngsters the chance to experience the thrill of being treated like a top-flight footballer.
Queensmead – the first girls’ team to win every game since the competition’s inception in 2006 – beat Watford, Southampton, Manchester United, Cardiff City and Arsenal before defeating Liverpool 3-1 on penalties in the final to claim success.
Goalkeeper Jessica was one of the standout performers on the day as she held her nerve in a sudden-death shootout against Canonbury Primary School, representing Arsenal, and did the same in the final against Our Lady's Bishop Eton Catholic Primary of Liverpool.
Jessica said: "It puts the pressure on when you've got loads of people watching you, you have to save it, but even if you don't, you keep your head high. It feels great, because everyone is clapping you and saying ‘well done’.”
City’s strength at the back was equalled in attack thanks to team captain Ruby, who was lethal in front of goal, scoring seven of her school’s eight goals during the day and finishing as the tournament’s top-scorer.
Despite the pair’s heroics, Jessica said the Foxes showed great spirit throughout the competition and that their friendship as a group led them to triumph.
She added: "We won because we worked as a team and stuck together. We kept our confidence high and when we conceded a goal, our head didn’t drop. We worked hard and kept smiling. We had fun.”