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Harrogate girls finish third in national football finals

Tuesday, 19 May 2026 08:51

Saltergate footballers at the ESFA Pokémon Girls Primary Cup National Finals.

Pupils at Saltergate Schools in Harrogate have been crowned the third best girls' primary football team in England after an impressive run to the national finals.

The girls travelled to Stoke to compete in the ESFA Pokémon Girls Primary Cup National Finals last week, battling through the tournament to secure a third-place finish against some of the country’s top school teams.

The achievement marks a proud moment for the Harrogate school, with staff praising the squad for their determination, teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the competition.

A spokesperson for Saltergate Schools said:

“We are super proud of all of you. What a credit to Saltergate you are.

"Keep playing football and doing the things you love.”

The school also thanked the English Schools’ Football Association for hosting what it described as a “fabulous tournament” and for giving the girls “another amazing opportunity.”

The tournament forms part of the wider Pokémon Primary Schools’ Cup, which sees more than 5,000 school teams and over 50,000 children from across England take part each season.

The girls’ competition begins with district rounds before progressing through county and regional stages.

The best teams from around the country then qualify for the National Finals, held annually at Stoke City FC.

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