After securing victory in the ESFA Pokémon Primary Cup County Finals at Richmond, the Saltergate girls were crowned North Yorkshire County Champions.
Their football journey continued to flourish, leading to more tournament wins, exciting opportunities, and unforgettable memories.
Winning this tournament earned them an invitation to compete in the Regional Finals at The Liverpool Football Academy on 27th March.
HTAFC Tournament Victory
Building on their success, the school entered the team into a local tournament organised by The Harrogate Town Community Foundation and The Premier League Primary Stars.
This event, held at Rossett School on 25 February, featured five teams from across Harrogate, including two from their strongest rivals, Oatlands Primary School.
The girls remained unbeaten, winning four matches and drawing one, clinching victory on goal difference with an impressive 20 goals scored.
Their skill, resilience, and teamwork were truly remarkable.
Winning this tournament meant they were invited to represent Harrogate Town and Saltergate at another Regional Final in Newcastle just two weeks later.
Premier League Primary Stars Regional Finals - Newcastle
On 11th March, the team travelled to Newcastle University for the Premier League Primary Stars Regional Finals, organised by the Newcastle United Foundation.
The day started with an exciting opportunity: the girls had their photo taken with the Premier League Trophy, a rare and memorable experience.
The tournament featured a round-robin format, with the top four teams advancing to the semi-finals. The competition was fierce:
- Newcastle United (1-1 draw)
- Hartlepool (0-1 loss)
- Sunderland (0-0 draw)
- Middlesbrough (5-0 win)
- Carlisle (2-0 win)
Finishing second in the group, the girls advanced to the semi-finals against Sunderland, securing a dramatic 1-0 victory with a crucial penalty save.
The final against Newcastle United was intense, but with solid defending and relentless pressure, they secured a 1-0 win, becoming Northern Champions and earning a place at the Premier League Primary Stars National Finals in June at Molineux Stadium.
Their unforgettable day continued with an exclusive St James' Park stadium tour and a workshop, making it a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the team.
Exciting Opportunities and Community Engagement
Their achievements did not go unnoticed. Future Lionesses, a local player development centre, offered a one-off training session at school, allowing 14 girls to participate.
The head coach was highly impressed with their talent and determination.
Additionally, the team was invited to train with Harrogate Town Community Foundation in preparation for the National Final.
They also had the incredible honour of being VIP mascots for Harrogate Town Ladies against South Shields, even playing on the pitch at halftime. Their smiles said it all!
To celebrate their success, Harrogate Town will hold a 'Ball Pull' event in assembly for KS2 students, revealing their National Finals opponents and building excitement.
The girls have also taken part in a pre-tournament photoshoot and interview with Harrogate Town.
Their journey has even caught the attention of BBC York Radio, which interviewed the players, coaches, and staff, capturing their inspiring story.
ESFA Pokémon Regional Final - Liverpool
After their Newcastle victory, the girls headed to The Liverpool Football Academy for the ESFA Pokémon Regional Final on 27 March.
Playing in such a prestigious setting was a surreal moment, with AXA Training Ground, home of Liverpool's First Team, visible in the background.
The competition featured 11 county champion teams split into two groups. Saltergate competed in Pool A, delivering a strong performance:
- Game 1: 0-3 loss
- Game 2: 1-0 win
- Game 3: 3-0 win
- Game 4: 1-2 loss (against eventual runners-up)
- Game 5: 2-0 win
Despite a valiant effort, the girls narrowly missed out on the semi-finals, finishing 3rd in their group on goal difference (5th overall).
However, they held their heads high, proud of their three wins and seven goals scored.
They left Liverpool with their North Yorkshire County Champions medals, ready to refocus on the National Finals in June.
Achievements to Date
- 5 tournaments competed in, 4 won, and 1 National Final to come
- Over 60 goals scored across all tournaments
- Only 3 losses in 5 tournaments, with just 10 goals conceded
- Played at major venues: Rossett School, Richmond High School, Newcastle University, Liverpool Football Academy, and soon Molineux Stadium
- VIP mascots for Harrogate Town Ladies team
- Trained with Future Lionesses and Harrogate Town
- Featured in interviews and media coverage by Your Harrogate, BBC York Radio, and Harrogate Town
Looking Ahead: The National Finals at Molineux
The entire school and community are incredibly proud of the girls.
Competing in the Premier League Primary Stars National Finals at Molineux Stadium is a dream come true, and we can’t wait to see what they achieve next.
With their talent, passion, and determination, who knows?
We may be watching future England Lionesses in action! Perhaps some future Rachel Dalys are already making their mark at Saltergate.
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